Mortgage Professional Australia

Cover story: The Future of Franchises
Franchising is oft-touted as the safe bet for brokers looking to grow their business, but developments in the franchise industry have cast a pall on this particular model. MPA talks to franchisors to get their opinion on the state of the market
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The case for co-ownership
Economic realities coupled with social demographics have created the perfect cocktail for co-ownership. As Andrea Lavigne reports, friends and siblings are pooling resources to put themselves on the property ladder
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Successful seminars
Sales-free seminars can be great way to not only educate borrowers on a variety of financial matters, but also bring more business through your door. MPA shows you how to host winning workshops
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The Only Way is UP!
With so much doom and gloom around, a morale boost is needed to flag some brokers' falling optimism. Broker coach Raz Chorev provides a lesson in decision-making and the power of positive thinking
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	Latest News

	News analysis: Grasping new commission landscape The dust is starting to settle after ANZ joined the party, becoming the last of the majors to reveal its new commission structure, Larry Schlesinger cast a bird's eye view over the 'brave new world' that now awaits - Read more...

	SEQUAL gets its first CEO Kevin Conlon has been chosen as the inaugural chief executive officer of reverse mortgage industry association, SEQUAL (Senior Australians Equity Release Association of Lenders). - Read more...

	LIXI says farewell to Vasiliadis E-commerce standards body LIXI has bid farewell to long-serving CEO Socrates Vasiliadis - following its decision to create a full-time CEO position. - Read more...

	Quality before quantity, say real estate groups LJ Hooker Financial Services has announced it intends to add 100 loan consultants to its real estate network by the end of this year. But if the selection mix is not perfect, it would rather recruit less than go for the full quota, according to Peter Bromley general manager of financial services for LJ Hooker. - Read more...

	Aussie considering acquisitions Aussie will look to embark on a growth strategy that could include the acquisition of a smaller aggregator, according to founder and CEO John Symond. - Read more...

	Rams franchisees, Westpac tight lipped on dispute The exact nature of Rams franchisees dispute with Westpac remains shrouded in mystery when MPA went to press with both parties claiming the current mediation process prevented them from commenting on the stand-off. - Read more...

	The Mortgage Gallery bows out of Queensland after five years Having failed to make a splash in the Sunshine State franchise group The Mortgage Gallery has decided to exit the Queensland market. - Read more...

	Downgrade fears haunt BankWest expansion BankWest's current roll out of its new branch network across the Eastern states could come under pressure following reports that S&P may downgrade the credit rating of its UK parent company, HBOS. - Read more...

	NAB pilots micro-lending in Victoria NAB is piloting a small loans project in Victoria, aimed at providing assistance to low-income earners. - Read more...

	Suncorp unveils "options" model for commissions Queensland-based Suncorp became the second regional bank after St.George to reveal its new commission structure, when it announced its new payment model in June. - Read more...

	A hat-trick of wins for ING Direct Broker-centric ING Direct secured a hat trick of accolades this year after being named Australia's most trusted banking brand in the annual Reader's Digest Trust survey. - Read more...

	MFAA: Give Commonwealth complete control The MFAA called on the federal government to step up to the plate and take responsibility for all credit products and credit regulation, rather than dividing responsibility for lending and personal finance between the States and the Commonwealth. - Read more...

	This time last year A recap of what was happening this time last year including: Brokers must interact: CBA; Debt, deposits stymie purchases: study; and, MPA relaunch - Read more...

	NAB, ANZ complete Big Four commission changes NAB and ANZ revealed their new commission models, joining the CBA and Westpac who announced changes earlier in the year. - Read more...

	Minister ignores facts, says ABA The Australian Bankers' Association is defending its members lending practices. - Read more...

	This time last year A recap of what was happening this time last year including: Aggregators enjoy robust growth; And the winner is; NAB re-launch; and, SEQUAL members keep close tabs on each other - Read more...

	CBA commission changes: trail goes in first year Brokers will not longer be paid a first year trail commission by the CBA, after the bank implemented changes to its commission structure. - Read more...

	Mature workers more loyal Mature-age workers have staying power, a survey by specialist recruiter Hays Banking has revealed. - Read more...

	CBA home lending still healthy The banks continued efforts to talk up the tough trading conditions may be nothing more than hot air if the CBA's March quarter trading update is anything to go by. - Read more...

	Pisces chairman slams RBA inflation targets Pisces chairman and former Liberal Party leader, John Hewson, has taken aim at the RBA for the way it uses inflation targets to determine interest rate adjustments. - Read more...

	Broker cuts ties with two major banks One brokerage is preparing for life without two major lenders on its panel after ditching both Westpac and CBA, following commission changes. - Read more...

	Bank fees climb 8% in 2007 Recent findings of the RBA annual survey of fees earned by banks in their Australian banking operations could increase pressure on the government to take action. - Read more...

	News Spotlight Spotlight on: South African leads Choice; GMAC breaks RMBS drought; Connection lost: Tsialtas quits; Bank executives' pay; and, Fraud and ethics - Read more...

	Budget: Investors, renters to suffer The Rudd government's first federal budget is likely to have a negative impact on property investment and renters, according to researchers, RP Data. - Read more...

	Symond: Banks need to differentiate on quality and volume Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond has lent his support to banks paying differential rates to brokers based on the quality of loans submitted and the volume of deals completed. - Read more...

	News analysis: Brotherhood of brokers and banks needs promotion An overwhelming number of brokers also told MPA that banks are not doing enough to promote the use of brokers to the public. - Read more...

	News analysis: Commission comparison: US vs. AU White labelling is looking very attractive lately - the ability to set your own commissions seems like a great way for brokers to shore up losses caused by banks' recent changes to commission structures. - Read more...

	Public trust in finance industry low Eight in ten Australians agree that the sales commission system compromises advice given by members of the financial advice industry. - Read more...

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