Eyes on the big 4

It’s the start of a new financial year and what better time to cast our eyes across the lending landscape?

It’s already shaping up to be an interesting year, with FY26 likely going to be one of considerable upheaval and change, if the end of FY25 was anything to go by. Of particular interest will be what the major banks are up to this year.

One of the most talked-about developments recently has been the news of NAB pulling its Advantedge brand from the market. This move has significant implications for the landscape of white label lending and has left several aggregators scrambling to find a new lender to fill the void. But could this be the beginning of the end of wholesale funding from the banks? I explore this in my opinion piece on page 8.

The major banks are also the focus of our cover story in this edition. It’s no secret the big four banks have been accelerating their mortgage growth over the past year, but they’re certainly not all taking the same road. In Major banks: Shifting lanes (page 15), we’re unpacking how their market share has been evolving, identifying who’s gaining traction and, crucially, what brokers, are saying about their service and performance. Pulling on data from the annual Third-Party Lending Report, it’s clear that broker preferences for the major banks are changing and could influence mortgage market flows this year.

Don’t forget to read more from the heads of broker from two of the major banks in this edition, as we distil some key insights from recent podcasts with CBA’s Baber Zaka (page 26) and ANZ’s Natalie Smith (page 42).

As the cost of living continues to bite, borrowers are increasingly seeking solutions to manage their finances. Debt consolidation is emerging as a popular strategy to regain control of outgoings. But is it truly a magic bullet for every client? And how can brokers best navigate this space to secure optimal deals? We unpack everything happening in the debt consolidation space (page 28), offering insights to help you guide your clients from financial chaos to control.

Beyond market dynamics and product shifts, we’re also celebrating the people and events that strengthen the broker community. This edition is packed with inspiring stories and practical advice, including in our Elite Broker profile with Chris Bates and our New Broker profile with Peter Savage, plus the takeaways from Momentum Media’s recent Women in Finance Network Lunch 2025, supported by principal partner ANZ.

I hope you find this July edition of The Adviser insightful and engaging. As always, your feedback is invaluable, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you’d like to see covered in future issues: [email protected].