ISCOVER
The aggregator’s settlements rose by a quarter in the first six months of 2025, driven by strong residential growth.
Major wholesale aggregator Connective has seen settlements surge in 2025, with its brokers generating half-year growth across residential, commercial, and asset finance.
Property and asset financing drove a 25.1 per cent increase in gross settlements across all lending types to $60.44 billion, according to the group.
For the half-year period ending June 2025, residential settlements surged 24.5 per cent year on year, to $49.8 billion.
Commercial settlements rose faster, although from a lower base, jumping 36.7 per cent to $8.61 billion. The increase was attributed to greater broker participation in commercial finance and the expansion of its lender panel and technology platform.
Growth in asset finance settlements was more muted over the first six months of 2025 – it rose 4.6 per cent year over year to $2.05 billion. The rise was underpinned by stronger demand in the June quarter, which recorded $1.1 billion in settlements – a 7.4 per cent climb.
Overall, Connective brokers submitted $74.6 billion in applications in the six-month period, a 30.6 per cent uplift year on year, highlighting strong borrower activity and a solid pipeline for the second half of the year.
Lending accelerates into second half
Connective highlighted that its June quarter was its highest-performing period, recording $33.4 billion in settlements across all lending types, up 26.5 per cent from the previous year.
June was its best-performing month for total settlements ever, with a record $12.06 billion.
Connective noted that it had generated residential growth against a challenging lending environment, with borrowers managing tighter serviceability requirements and a competitive housing market.
CEO Glenn Lees commented: “This level of residential activity shows how resilient housing demand remains even as conditions tighten. Brokers are at the centre of this momentum, translating demand into real outcomes and ensuring clients can move quickly in a competitive market.
“At the halfway point of 2025, Connective brokers have set a strong foundation for the year. Our focus for the remainder of the year is to back our brokers with the resources and technology they need to continue delivering good results for their clients.”
Speaking about the role of brokers, Lees said: “Brokers have been at the frontline of lending activity this year. They are helping families secure homes and supporting businesses to access funding.
“These results are a credit to their expertise and commitment. The growth we are seeing is not just about volumes but also about brokers building trust and delivering outcomes that borrowers value.”
Lees noted that Connective brokers were increasingly diversifying away from solely writing residential home loans.
“Businesses are continuing to look for funding pathways that support growth and manage cashflow. Brokers are providing that connection to lenders and opening up opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach,” Lees said.
“Increasingly, we are also seeing brokers step into new areas to meet business demand such as private lending and structured solution.
“Asset finance remains challenging, given higher borrowing costs and more cautious consumer spending. Even so, Connective brokers have delivered growth by working closely with clients and leveraging a wider panel of lenders to provide fit-for-purpose solutions. That adaptability will position brokers well as confidence returns.”
Connective’s first half-year growth was boosted by new additions to its lending panel and technology upgrades.
In July, the aggregator promoted its head of broker channel, Brad Clucas, to the newly created head of strategic member engagement role.
Last month, it also expanded its white label offering with the development of a new reverse mortgage.
It announced in March of this year that its brokers settled a record $105 billion in 2024.
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