Broker Daily Podcast Network

Sole traders represent a significant part of the market and a big opportunity for brokers. So why is getting deals across the line still such a headache? And what can lenders do to simplify the process for borrowers who don't fit the traditional PAYG mould? Join Julian Barnes as he sits down with George Srbinovski, head of broker distribution at Ubank, to discuss the lender's new sole trader proposition and what it means for brokers and their clients. What's covered: The market opportunity in sole trader lending, why the segment matters and how borrower needs are changing. How brokers can navigate sole trader applications, understand lender criteria and present a strong file to get deals across the line. What Ubank's new sole trader proposition offers, including its eligibility criteria and streamlined application process, and what it means for brokers and their clients. Listen now to explore how brokers can make the most of this opportunity and give sole trader clients a fair go. Products issued by Ubank, part of NAB. Credit criteria and other conditions apply. Find out more Ubank broker - ubank Apple and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Samsung and Samsung Pay are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC.

With more brokers in the market, growing competition from banks and borrowers increasingly focused on price, how can brokers stand out and protect their businesses? In this episode of Business Accelerator, Julian Barnes is joined by broker coach Jason Back from Broker Essentials to explore how brokers can stay competitive, differentiate their value and hold on to clients in a tougher market. They discuss cashback offers, the importance of client retention and why brokers may need to rethink how they engage with their existing customer base. Listen now to find out how brokers can adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of the competition.

Finsure's new AI-powered vetting tool reportedly rejected 13 prospective brokers in its first six weeks, raising questions about how technology could change industry standards. In this episode of Broker Daily Uncut, Julian Barnes is joined by Finni brokers Costa Arvanitopoulos and Eva Loisance to discuss AI screening, broker accreditation and the risks of relying on technology to make decisions. The team also explores lessons from overseas broking markets, the cooling property market and the latest lender policy changes. Listen now for the latest industry insights.

Getting a commercial finance deal across the line takes more than a set of financial statements and a loan application. Brokers need to understand how a business operates, what is driving its financial performance and how to present a compelling case to a lender. In this episode of Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes is joined by Trent Carter as well as fellow Accendo Financial partner John Sgambelluri to unpack what lenders really look for when assessing commercial finance applications. The discussion explores the relationship between profit, cash flow and the balance sheet, why understanding a business' underlying risks matters, and how brokers can connect the numbers with the story behind them to build stronger credit applications. The trio also discuss the role of security in commercial lending, how to articulate the purpose of a loan and why developing strong relationships with lenders can help brokers get more complex deals across the line.

Mortgage brokers have more technology at their disposal than ever, from CRM systems and open banking to AI tools that promise to save time and streamline processes. But are brokers making the most of what's available, and how can they separate genuinely useful technology from the latest hype? In this episode of Business Accelerator, Julian Barnes is joined by Jason Back, founder of Broker Essentials, to discuss how brokers can approach technology adoption, get more out of their existing systems and make smarter decisions about where to invest. They also explore the challenges around client trust, data privacy and AI, as well as how technology is changing the fight against fraud. Listen now to find out how brokers can make technology work harder for their businesses without losing sight of the value of human judgement and client relationships.

Small businesses can struggle to access the right finance even when funding could help them manage cash flow or pursue growth. So what are lenders missing when they assess SMEs, and how can brokers help businesses find the right solution? Join Broker Daily's Julian Barnes and Sam Althaus, CEO and founder of SME non-bank lender Lendmigo, to explore the gap between how small businesses operate and how they are financed. From the challenges facing SME lending to the opportunities for brokers looking to expand into commercial finance, this episode of Broker Daily Spotlight explores how a different approach to business funding could help brokers better serve their clients. What's covered: Why small businesses struggle to access finance, and the limits of traditional lending approaches. How lenders assess cash flow, business performance and the people behind a business. How mortgage brokers can identify commercial finance opportunities among existing clients, including through referral arrangements. Listen now to find out more about the changing SME finance landscape and the role brokers can play in helping businesses access funding.

Banks are offering cashback deals and rates that brokers say can be difficult to match – raising questions about competition between lenders and their own broker channels. Join Broker Daily's Julian Barnes and Finni brokers Costa Arvanitopoulos and Eva Loisance to discuss the growing tension around exclusive cashback offers following warnings from the Finance Brokers Association of Australasia about their potential to undermine consumer choice. The episode explores how brokers are competing with lenders to retain clients, why strong relationships can matter more than rates alone, and how refinancing activity and clawbacks are shaping the mortgage market.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) review of brokers' best interests duty (BID) has raised questions about loan recommendations, documentation and what good client outcomes look like. While the statutory BID review does not directly apply to commercial lending generally, its findings raise questions about the standards commercial brokers should apply when recommending finance. In a market where price is only one part of the equation and deals can be far more complex, what lessons can the industry take from the review? Join Broker Daily's Julian Barnes and commercial finance broker Trent Carter to unpack those lessons, including how to justify recommendations, document lender comparisons and manage situations where only one lender is willing to do a deal.

Trust is one of the most valuable assets a broker can build, but how do you earn it, protect it and make sure it extends beyond your own reputation? Join Broker Daily's Julian Barnes and Jason Back, founder of Broker Essentials and broker coach, to explore the business of trust and why consistency, transparency and accountability matter. From building credibility as a new broker to scaling trust across a team, managing negative reviews and responding when things go wrong, this episode explores how brokers can turn trust into a lasting business advantage – without resorting to clickbait or sacrificing their reputation for attention.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) review of mortgage brokers' compliance with the best interests duty (BID) is putting the spotlight on how brokers assess client needs, recommend products and document their decisions. But what do the findings mean for brokers and why do questions remain around the regulator's expectations? In this podcast, we unpack the key findings and implications of ASIC's review, exploring what the regulator expects from brokers, where compliance challenges remain and what the findings could mean for the future of broking. From product recommendations and record-keeping to supervision, remuneration and conflicts of interest, we examine the good, the bad and the grey areas of the BID review and what brokers should take away from it. Watch the full discussion to understand what the review means for brokers and how the industry can respond.

Small business collectible tax debt reached $35.9 billion in 2024–25 as the ATO steps up efforts to recover unpaid liabilities. What does this mean for commercial brokers? In this episode of Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes is joined by Trent Carter from Accendo to explore why businesses are relying on the ATO as a source of credit, how brokers can identify the cash flow problems behind tax debt, and where commercial finance can help. The conversation also examines why refinancing alone may not be enough, what lenders look for when funding tax debt, and when brokers need to refer clients to other professionals.

Building a great brokerage takes more than hiring good people. So what does it actually take to create a high-performing team that can work together, deliver consistently, and grow with the business? In this episode of Business Accelerator, Julian Barnes is joined by Jason Back, founder of Broker Essentials, to unpack what goes into building and managing a high-performing team, from knowing when to hire and designing roles around outcomes to setting clear expectations and measuring performance. The conversation also explores the challenges that come as brokerages scale, including the risk of principals becoming bottlenecks, maintaining a consistent client experience, and creating a culture where people take ownership of their roles. Because having a team is one thing; building a team that can perform without everything relying on the principal is another.

Cash flow can be a challenge for even the healthiest businesses. With late payments, changing costs and growth opportunities all putting pressure on working capital, having the right funding at the right time can make all the difference So what does cash flow finance actually mean for a business? And how can brokers identify the opportunity before a client runs into a funding gap? Broker Daily's Julian Barnes sits down with BiiGGA co-founder and CEO Jaco Gunter to explore the changing cash flow finance landscape, the pressures facing SMEs and why working capital can be about more than simply keeping a business afloat. From managing unexpected expenses to funding growth opportunities, the conversation looks at how businesses are using working capital and where brokers can find opportunities within their existing client base. What's covered: Why cash flow pressure does not necessarily mean a business is in trouble. How working capital can help businesses manage challenges and pursue growth. Why brokers may already have commercial opportunities sitting in their client books. Listen to the latest Broker Daily Spotlight to find out how looking at cash flow differently could open up new opportunities for brokers.

The 5 per cent Deposit Scheme has helped more than 100,000 first home buyers get into the market, but with borrowing power taking a hit, is buying now really getting any easier? Property prices may be falling in some markets, but higher interest rates and serviceability requirements mean buyers are also facing a very different borrowing equation. Julian Barnes is joined by Costa Arvanitopoulos and Eva Loisance to unpack whether first home buyers are actually better off, what the latest rate rise means for those trying to enter the market and whether lower prices are enough to offset shrinking borrowing capacity. The trio also discuss the growing use of longer loan terms, the future of the 5 per cent Deposit Scheme and whether there are still ways for brokers to help buyers make the numbers work.

With another rate rise adding to the pressure on Australian businesses, the challenges facing business owners go well beyond the cost of borrowing. From rising costs and regulatory changes to uncertainty around the economy, a range of factors are shaping the outlook for small business. In this episode of Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes is joined by Accendo's Trent Carter to unpack what's really driving the pressure on businesses, how changing conditions are affecting demand for finance, and what brokers can do to help clients navigate a tougher market. From shifting towards working capital to spotting early signs of financial stress, they discuss why understanding clients' needs has never been more important.

With further rate rises on the horizon and borrower confidence under pressure, brokers are facing a changing market. For some, that means softer demand and tougher conditions, but for those prepared to adapt, there are still opportunities to grow. In this episode of Business Accelerator, Julian Barnes is joined by Broker Essentials' Jason Back to explore how brokers can prepare their businesses for a potential downturn. From protecting their existing book and making the most of refinancing opportunities to diversifying their client base and managing cash flow, they discuss what it takes to build a resilient brokerage when the next deal is harder to find.

With another RBA rate rise looming, borrowers are facing mounting pressure on their borrowing power, mortgage repayments and confidence in the property market. In this episode of Broker Daily Uncut, Julian Barnes is joined by Finni's Costa Arvanitopoulos and Eva Loisance to unpack the impact of higher rates, what the latest lender survey data reveals about borrowing capacity, and why self-employed borrowers could be an overlooked opportunity for brokers. The trio also discuss Connective and Athena's new white-label lending range and what it could mean for brokers and their clients.

Agribusiness is changing, and so are its financing needs. From machinery and technology to seasonal cash flow and the businesses operating beyond the farm gate, regional lending presents a range of opportunities for brokers, but it also demands specialist knowledge. In this episode of Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes and Accendo's Trent Carter explore how brokers can navigate the complexities of agribusiness finance, understand the funding needs of modern farming businesses, and identify opportunities across the wider regional economy.

Building a thriving brokerage business is about far more than securing a rate. It takes real adaptability, team structure, and an authentic presence to weather shifting markets. In this episode of The Broker Show with Joe, Azura Financial's Oliver Studdy reflects on his decade-long journey in the broking industry – from starting out at age 22 and navigating early mentorships to scaling his own eight-person team within a sub-brokerage model. Studdy breaks down the operational realities of growing a business, including how to structure offshore support, the critical need to invest in staff leadership, and why relying solely on traditional referral networks or rate-driven marketing no longer works in today's market. He also shares his approach to short-form video content, navigating market corrections and budget shifts, and guiding clients through complex rate environments and long-term wealth strategies. Plus, he weighs in on proposed industry solutions to housing supply, stamp duty, and economic headwinds – and why cash flow management is the ultimate king for business owners. How do you adapt and stay ahead when the market shifts under your feet?

AI is moving further into the lending process, but what does that mean for the broker? In this episode of Broker Daily Uncut, Julian Barnes is joined by Finni brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos to explore how AI and automation could reshape the role of the broker – from processing applications to helping borrowers make decisions. They also discuss the latest rate hike expectations, affordability, bitcoin-backed lending, and the launch of Quickli Fact Find. So, as more of the mortgage process becomes automated, what will the broker of the future actually do?