The boards of the MFAA and CAFBA have met to discuss the next phase of the associations’ strategic partnership following the signing of a memorandum of understanding to jointly collaborate.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly collaborate last year, executives and members of the boards from the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia and the Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association met on Thursday (9 October) to discuss the next phase of the associations’ strategic partnership.
The meeting reflected on the shared work over the past 15 months and sought to further advance the two associations’ shared values, strengthen professional standards, and highlight the critical role of both commercial and mortgage brokers.
MFAA chair Kerri Buurman and CAFBA president Domenic Lo Surdo flagged several initiatives that had been jointly worked on by the two groups.
These include having worked together on several key initiatives, including jointly lobbying and providing evidence to the NSW parliamentary inquiry regarding the NSW Payroll Tax Act, contributing to the MFAA’s industry reports on The Value of Mortgage and Finance Broking 2025 and work on the ethical use of AI, jointly attending and supporting the MFAA Equipment and Commercial Finance Dinner, and maintaining regular high-level engagement between their CEOs and executives to discuss industry matters.
Buurman and Lo Surdo stated that the associations remain committed to working together on shared interests, driven by a common goal: to foster innovation and promote a finance broking profession that “upholds the highest ethical and professional standards”.
Buurman said the meeting was about “taking a longer-term view” on how the two associations can collaborate “for the benefit of [their] respective members, their clients and our industry”.
“Each association excels at member support in its own right. We also have a shared commitment to continue elevating the professionalism of the Australian broking industry. Our MOU brings this to life through tangible member-focused initiatives,” she said.
“It has long been my opinion that if our associations work together on advocacy and stakeholder engagement, we have greater impact, something I believe adds tremendous value to all members of our industry.”
Speaking on behalf of CAFBA, Lo Surdo added that the meeting was “an important milestone for the broking profession” as the two groups came together.
“Each of our associations has a different purpose and focus, however, there are many issues where the membership of both benefit through working together and sharing ideas,” he said.
“By doing so, we reinforce the importance of professionalism and unity across the industry, ensuring we continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for our members, businesses, households, and the broader Australian community.”
