News

New free consumer article available: Too loyal or time-poor for a better rate? Problem solved

As the Reserve Bank continues to cut interest rates, and lenders follow to varying degrees, research shows the wisdom of borrowers contacting a broker to get a better rate.

However, many people still do not actively engage in this process to ensure their loan terms are suitable for their circumstances.

Finance brokers can play a vital role in assisting borrowers through the process of ensuring their mortgage is competitive.

MEMBER BENEFITS: Make the Qantas Club your first destination for business or leisure

By joining the Qantas Club, you can find a comfortable retreat where you can relax and unwind before your next flight, catch-up on work or meet colleagues. You will also enjoy a range of exclusive services and privileges that comes with your membership. Members have access to generous savings when joining the Member Benefits Pty Ltd Corporate Scheme.

Update on ASIC Consultation Paper 311 - Internal Dispute Resolution – changes coming

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has responded to feedback regarding transitional timeframes relating to RG 165 policy changes.

The draft RG 165 that ASIC sought responses on in Consultation Paper 311 (CP 311), proposed transitional timeframes for some specific requirements, but proposed that other policy requirements would take effect immediately.

Reminder for MFAA members to vote in the Board Election

With the MFAA Annual General Meeting https://www.mfaa.com.au/about-us/governance/annual-general-meeting approaching (20 November 2019, Sydney), eligible MFAA members are reminded to vote in the Board Election.

Free tickets to the upcoming Switzer Listed Investment Conference and Masterclass for MFAA members

MFAA members are being offered complimentary tickets to the coming Switzer Listed Investment Conference and Masterclass held in Sydney 11 November, Melbourne 19 November and Brisbane 20 November.

The Switzer Listed Investment Conference and Masterclass' is designed to expose you to some of Australia's leading money managers, who’ll give you their ‘how to's’ when it comes to building and managing a successful investment portfolio.

AMA finalists and MFAA members shine bright on industry awards night

The industry’s stars shone bright on Friday 17 October for the 18th annual Australian Mortgage Awards.

Hosted by the team at Key Media (publishers of Australian Broker and MPA magazines and brokernews.com.au), the event provided the industry’s best and brightest with an opportunity to come together and celebrate a challenging but rewarding year for the mortgage sector.

WA brokers pull together for 220km ride for cancer research

“Together, we can do great things.” These are the sentiments behind Western Australian mortgage broker, Warrick Greaves and his fellow teammates, who on the 26-27th October will be riding over 200kms from Perth to Mandurah and back again, as part of the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research, which raises vital funding for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Update on ASIC Consultation Paper 311 Internal Dispute Resolution: Update to RG 165 – Data Requirements

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has decided to postpone updating its guidance relating to Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) data collection and recording until the first half of 2020 after a number of issues were raised in submissions to Consultation Paper 311 Internal Dispute Resolution: Update to RG 165 (CP 311).

Want more website traffic? The MFAA's finance calculators can help.

Did you know that the terms ‘mortgage calculator’ and ‘repayment calculator’ are the first and third most Googled ‘mortgage’ related queries in Australia according to Google Trends*?

Does your website have consumer-targeted mortgage and finance calculators allowing you to drive more prospective leads to your website and engage this traffic?

Prospa Groundbreakers: Ruan Burger on the secret ingredients to success, staff care and culinary collaborations

Much like creating a quality sandwich, Ruan Burger has built his business with a careful balance of the right ingredients.

What started with a desire to offer greater choice to clients, was enhanced by a good helping of business acumen.

A healthy portion of client care was added, followed by a sprinkling of self-awareness and understanding of business strengths and weaknesses.

Now is an ideal time to enter the property market – according to First Home Buyers, want more website traffic, plus more

First home buyers are reporting that now is an ideal time to enter the property market due to low interest rates and falling housing prices, but should interest rates increase, they wouldn't be deterred.

These are some of the findings from the recent The Genworth First Home Buyer Sentiment Report, commissioned by Genworth and undertaken by CoreData, which surveyed 2,001 prospective first home buyers and 1,008 recent first home buyers from across the country.

Prospa’s The Long Road – Tales of Regional Brokers: Steve Milligan of Launch Finance on the importance of community, professionalism and being like a duck

After taking a redundancy in the wake of the GFC, Steve Milligan of Mandurah Western Australia sat down with his wife to plan their next move.

Tired of working full-time as a PAYG employee and missing out on his brother’s storied annual fishing trips, Steve decided to pursue finance broking for its flexibility and customer-focus.

Member and key stakeholder feedback on MFAA response to events of the past year

The MFAA is proud to share recent feedback received during our National Excellence Awards from members and key industry stakeholders on our response to the events of the past year.

It is critical that we continue to take responsibility for our future and rise to the challenge of increased scrutiny while working with government and regulators to implement reforms that will enhance customer outcomes and protect competition.

Latest MFAA Industry Intelligence Service Report (IIS) highlights strong broker performance despite tough market conditions and severe credit tightening

The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) has released the latest Industry Intelligence Service Report (IIS) 8th edition highlighting the strong performance and systemic importance of mortgage brokers at a time of tough market conditions, severe credit tightening and unprecedented industry scrutiny. 

ASIC provides customer-friendly guidance on guarantor and co-borrower arrangements

Do you have clients that are considering a request to be a co-borrower or guarantee a loan?

Whilst these are not uncommon arrangements, they can be easily misunderstood leaving many people to underestimate the risk that can potentially be attached to being a co-borrower or guaranteeing a loan.

QBE's latest Housing Outlook Report - capital city house prices forecast to rise – download now

According to the latest QBE Housing Outlook Report for 2019-2022, house prices across all capital cities are expected to stabilise over the coming year, before population growth and a downturn in new dwelling completions results in prices increasing.

Government announces tool to help small businesses lower energy costs

The Federal Government has launched a new tool to help small businesses reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

The Government’s Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) will give small businesses access to two new free services: a personalised energy advice service and an online tool to help you understand and take advantage of energy saving opportunities.

Get the latest mortgage customer insights plus take the RFi Group survey

RFi Group, a global financial markets research company, is conducting research into Australia's mortgage market – including collecting insights from consumers, lenders and brokers.

MFAA launches latest series of Regulatory Roundtables

The MFAA is holding a series of five broker Regulatory Roundtables to talk through any potential unintended consequences identified in the recently released draft National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Mortgage Broker) Bill 2019 and draft Regulations.

Your Broker Behind You campaign - end of agreement with Kyal & Kara

Over a year ago the MFAA launched a national advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the value mortgage brokers deliver to their customers and the economy more broadly.

Featuring former winners of The Block, Kyal & Kara, the campaign titled Your Broker Behind You was strategically rolled out, in anticipation of greater industry scrutiny, to portray the positive benefits that brokers deliver.