Australian Broking Awards 2026: The winners

A word from NAB

As the principal partner of the Australian Broking Awards, NAB is proud to celebrate the brokers and aggregators who play such a vital role in helping Australians achieve their home ownership and investment goals. The professionalism, expertise, and dedication shown by brokers and aggregator partners every day help customers navigate important financial decisions with confidence.

At NAB, we’re proud to partner with brokers at every stage of the journey, supporting the work they do to deliver positive outcomes for customers across Australia.

Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s Australian Broking Awards. Your commitment to excellence continues to strengthen our industry and the value it delivers to customers.

Around 700 members of the broking and lending industry gathered at a glittering cocktail luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Friday, 28 August, to celebrate the achievements of their peers and network with senior leaders across the third-party channel at the 16th annual Australian Broking Awards.

Run with support from principal partner National Australia Bank (NAB), the Australian Broking Awards program acknowledges the leading brokers, brokerages, and aggregation groups providing outstanding service and advice to Australian borrowers.

Now in its 16th year, the annual Australian Broking Awards program stands as the industry’s premier platform of national recognition across the third-party channel. Building on the state-based Better Business Awards program, it provides a benchmark for excellence, supporting top professionals and businesses in building nationwide credibility and accelerating growth in a competitive marketplace.

To select the winners, submissions were evaluated by a panel of respected industry leaders who scored each entry against quantitative and qualitative criteria – acknowledging business development, leadership, innovation, and overall contribution to Australia’s finance sector.

During the ceremony, attendees were treated to an afternoon of entertainment, networking, and laughter led by Australian comedian and master of ceremonies Merrick Watts.

From a massive pool of nearly 1,000 submissions, 257 high-achieving finalists competed across individual and group categories. A total of 30 winners were chosen by the esteemed judging panel, culminating in the presentation of the event’s pinnacle award, the overall Broker of the Year for 2026.

Commercial Point Finance’s Brendan Scotter took home the afternoon’s highest honour, being crowned the overall Broker of the Year for 2026 – awarded to the highest-scoring broker winner. He was named Asset Finance Broker of the Year earlier in the day.

Other top commercial brokers were also recognised, with Paul Frazis from George Capital Finance Solutions taking home the trophy for Commercial Broker of the Year, while Jacob Morris from Valiant Finance was named the Finance Broker of the Year.

In the mortgage broking categories, three women took home top individual broker accolades: Deslie Taylor from Mortgage Choice Ormeau & Yarrabilba was named Residential Broker of the Year, Leah Busby from Blackfish Finance was recognised for Customer Service of the Year – Individual, and Ashleigh Pakis from Panache Financial was awarded Regional Broker of the Year.

Rising industry talent was highlighted as Adam Cullen from Mortgage Choice Darwin City earned New Broker of the Year, while Momentum Wealth’s Iszac Wayne took home Rising Star of the Year.

Brokers were also honoured for their work in the wider community. Mortgage Choice broker Scott Bament won the award for his work in the local community teaching financial literacy to those experiencing vulnerability and in workplaces, while the team at Loan Market Greater Springfield was celebrated for their work in raising over half a million dollars to date for the leading global charity dedicated to changing the face of men’s health and for their work supporting the Treasure House Children’s Home in Nadi, Fiji. The project is building a permanent property to house up to 25 orphaned children.

Beth Comino from Home Affordability Solutions and FIT Solutions was celebrated for her work as an industry thought leader. Judges applauded her work organising brokers across the country to deliver financial literacy and credit insights to schoolchildren. It is hoped that the FIT Solutions program will be in 100 schools by the end of 2026, as more brokers join over time.

Group awards highlighted the achievements of major aggregators and brokerage groups delivering excellence to the industry. Notable winners included Connective, named Major Aggregator of the Year, and Loan Market, celebrated as Major Franchise Brokerage of the Year.

The celebrations continued after the ceremony at the official afterparty, sponsored by Capital Bridging Finance, at Zephyr rooftop bar, where finalists and winners were entertained with live music, a photo wall, and prizes, courtesy of the non-bank lender.

Announcing the winners of the 2026 Australian Broking Awards, Annie Kane, managing editor of The Adviser, said: “With broker market share reaching unprecedented highs and fresh talent revitalising the profession, the sheer calibre of expertise across Australian broking has never been more evident.

“Our 2026 winners represent the gold standard of modern finance. They are setting the pace for how credit advice should be delivered – combining cutting-edge technology with genuine, relationship-driven care that keeps client interests squarely at the centre.

“By championing innovation while never losing sight of the human touch, these standout performers are fundamental to why millions of home buyers and business owners place their complete trust in brokers today.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners – thank you for your outstanding contribution to the industry and for raising the benchmark of excellence across Australian broking!”

Individual Awards

Asset Finance Broker of the Year AND Broker of the Year
Brendan Scotter, Commercial Point Finance

For this winner, being an asset finance broker is about more than settling deals. It’s about understanding clients, finding solutions others can’t, delivering results, and helping Australian businesses grow. This Broker of the Year has built a relationship-driven asset finance business with broad lender access and specialist expertise. His client-first approach delivers tailored solutions that support business growth and drive strong referrals and long-term relationships.

“Old School ‘nose to the grindstone’ stuff is wildly undervalued. Absolutely amazing, top stuff Brendan.”

Rising of the Year
Iszac Wayne, Momentum Wealth

This winner has made a strong impact early in his career, combining outstanding client outcomes with innovation, strong business results, and a genuine commitment to mentoring. His drive to improve systems, develop others, and raise the standard of broking makes him a standout young broker.

“This is the complete package. Iszac provided strong metrics, a detailed client case study, system innovations rolled out across the team, mentoring outcomes and clear operational improvements.”

Residential Broker of the Year
Deslie Taylor, Mortgage Choice Ormeau & Yarrabilba

This winner combines exceptional personal service with smart technology, achieving strong growth while retaining a loyal client base. Her ability to solve complex lending challenges others can’t while helping clients build and protect their financial futures makes her a standout residential broker.

“An exemplary submission with real differentiation and unique points. Deslie has built a career and business founded on trust, genuine client relationships, and an unwavering commitment to delivering outcomes that extend far beyond securing a loan.”

Commercial Broker of the Year
Paul Frazis, George Capital Finance Solutions

This winner believes commercial finance is about more than funding property. It’s about protecting businesses, creating opportunities, and helping families build their future.

“Paul is very strong in capability, knowing where a development application dies, so every deal clears approval. An incredible growth story underpinned by finding solutions for the customer.”

Customer Service of the Year – Individual
Leah Busby, Blackfish Finance

This winner’s goal was to reduce manual admin, so she could focus on high-value advice. Her new system streamlines the process, giving clients personalised guidance and support while allowing her to deliver a better experience at scale.

“Eighty-five per cent referral business after 18 years. Leah proves everything, doesn’t just claim it. She gave exceptional evidence with outstanding results and clear measurable customer service impact.”

Finance Broker of the Year
Jacob Morris, Valiant Finance

This winner has helped Australian businesses restructure debt, strengthen cash flow, and continue growing. His innovative referral strategy has also created a powerful new source of high-intent business, proving that a client-first approach can deliver meaningful outcomes and sustainable growth.

“Jacob’s holistic approach has positioned him as a trusted adviser to businesses seeking more than just capital; they seek long-term financial solutions.”

Industry Thought Leader of the Year
Beth Comino, Home Affordability Solutions and Financial Literacy Education

This winner strongly believes in the power of the broker channel and the vital role brokers play as trusted advisers. By sharing knowledge, resources and expertise, she empowers brokers to make better decisions and deliver stronger outcomes for their clients and the wider community.

“Beth’s work through Home Affordability Solutions and FIT Solutions demonstrates practical innovation addressing housing affordability, financial literacy and long-term industry sustainability.”

Loan Administrator of the Year
Catherine McFarlane, Simplify Processing

This winner brings over 14 years of industry experience, helping multiple brokers streamline processes, improve approvals, and deliver better client outcomes. Her expertise and adaptability make her a trusted extension of every broker business she supports.

“Building support for brokers across multiple aggregators is highly commendable. Catherine is an admin who shows multitasking and adaption to multiple facets of broking.”

Mentor of the Year
Vanessa Lewis, National Lending Group

This winner’s hands-on mentoring helps new brokers build confidence, improve file quality, and tackle complex deals earlier in their careers. She has also created a culture where brokers support and develop one another.

“Vanessa has a very solid philosophy; real files over theory. There’s a great focus on practical application in her mentoring style and lifting the whole group rather than one star is the real prize.”

Regional Broker of the Year
Ashleigh Pakis, Panache Financial

This Regional Broker of the Year winner combines metropolitan-level expertise
with genuine regional knowledge to deliver outstanding client outcomes. Her innovative approach has driven strong business growth while empowering regional families and other women in the industry.

“A well-thought-out, excellent growth story, operating an all-female team to better service regional Australia. Tremendously impressive on so many levels!”

New Broker of the Year
Adam Cullen, Mortgage Choice Darwin City

This winner has built a rapidly growing mortgage business in the Northern Territory, exceeding his long-term goals ahead of schedule. His expertise in complex lending, strong local knowledge, and commitment to his community make him a standout broker.

“An inspiring, technical and memorable submission showing a great human building an exciting business. Adam showed good community and local-impact evidence that supports his credibility.”

Wellness Advocate of the Year
Scott Bament, Mortgage Choice in Morphett Vale

This winner uses financial education to improve wellbeing, supporting students, workplaces, and vulnerable young people. His advocacy is creating a positive impact across the community and beyond the broking industry.

“The world needs more people like Scott. Action over words. A very good submission across the team, the public and industry. Real rockstar stuff that actually makes a difference.”

Company Awards

Boutique Aggregator of the Year
Nectar Mortgages Group

The Boutique Aggregator of the Year winner is recognised for its people-first approach, personalised support, and collaborative culture, with a strong focus on innovation, mentoring, and empowering brokers to achieve sustainable growth and success.

“Nectar Mortgages shows values-based recruitment and the importance of the ratio of leaders to brokers. There’s a clear onboarding mentoring outcome narrative arc with genuinely differentiated innovation.”

Major Independent Brokerage of the Year
Inovayt

This winner delivers holistic financial solutions, a strong partner model, and genuine technology leadership to create a seamless client experience. Its focus on client outcomes, professionalism, and innovation has strengthened loyalty, referrals, and sustainable business growth.

“Inovayt shows sophisticated growth thinking, strategically planning for a thriving business today and in the future. Commendable values and organisational culture.”

Marketing Campaign of the Year
Loan Market

This winner took a bold, customer-first approach, using “Make it yours” to respond to growing financial uncertainty and build trust. The campaign shifted the focus from transactions to empowerment, placing customers at the centre of their financial journey.

“Outstanding! A full 360-degree approach across multiple marketing channels. So well thought out and executed with great documented results.”

Regional Office of the Year
Mortgage Innovations

This winner combines deep regional expertise, tailored lending solutions, and personalised service to meet the unique needs of local borrowers. This approach has strengthened loyalty, referrals, and growth.

“A technically specific entry, showing regional expertise. They showed significant growth year-on-year despite fewer resources. The focus on improved processes is a testament to being able to deliver on that.”

Broker Marketing Platform of the Year
Resolve Finance

This winner is recognised for giving brokers the tools, resources, and support to market more effectively, strengthen customer relationships, and unlock new business opportunities.

“A highly sophisticated broker marketing ecosystem that has successfully combined automation, compliance, personalisation and broker support into a marketing platform that produces tangible business outcomes.”

Technology Service Provider of the Year
Prospa

This winner delivers innovative technology that gives brokers real-time, credit-backed insights and streamlines the SME lending journey. The platform improves speed, confidence, and customer service while supporting stronger business growth.

“Great quality submission showing innovative lending options to serve a dynamic lending requirement. Exceptional density and credibility of evidence. Every claim is quantified and directly tied to customer experience.”

New Office of the Year
Claremont Financial

This winner has built a high-performing and well-regarded brokerage in just one year, establishing strong foundations, a capable team, and a growing reputation for client service. Its ability to grow sustainably and at pace makes this a standout achievement.

“A real success story with excellent specificity on growth strategies. Claremont Financial show strong strategic rationale, excellent referral strategy and impressive growth with credible evidence throughout.”

Training and Education Program of the Year
AFG

This winner delivers targeted, practical, and innovative training that supports brokers at every stage of their careers. Its use of technology and tailored learning allows brokers to build capability, adapt, and grow their businesses.

“Really impressive, enterprise-level entry backed by hard numbers throughout. AFG show an innovative learning approach and excellent examples directly demonstrating business impact and training effectiveness.”

Community Engagement Program of the Year
Loan Market Greater Springfield

This winner is a strong role model for its industry, demonstrating a genuine commitment to local charity work and community engagement. It consistently acts with integrity and take pride in representing the mortgage industry through its positive impact in the community.

“Exceptional, long-term community impact, driven by purpose rather than commercial gain and a commitment to tackling important community issues through action rather than awareness alone.”

Diversified Brokerage of the Year
Sheel Capital

This winner turned diversification from a growth engine into a fully embedded business strategy to build a more sustainable, scalable business – capable of supporting clients across residential, commercial, and asset finance at every stage of their financial journey.

“An excellent, data-heavy entry demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic foresight, and business acumen by transforming diversification from a growth initiative into a deeply embedded business strategy that drives sustainable success.”

Innovation of the Year
Finspo

This winner has transformed credit verification through innovative technology, improving consistency, efficiency, and compliance while reducing rework and strengthening the customer experience. The approach also provides a scalable foundation for future growth.

“Seriously impressive. Finspo have a genuinely specific technical innovation backed by an outstanding depth of hard numbers. The onboarding detail is a great, credible, specific touch.”

CRM Platform of the Year
Lendi Group

This winner has demonstrated outstanding CRM innovation, empowering brokers to deliver faster, more connected customer experiences. Its technology improves efficiency, builds trust, and helps brokers grow their businesses.

“Lendi Group are providing practical tools to its brokers to become more efficient and write more loans. They show clear year-over-year evolution and great stats.”

Franchise Office of the Year
Mortgage Choice Newport (NSW)

This winner provided long-term advocacy and continuously refined the clients’ financial position through multiple pre-approvals, updated assessments, and ongoing communication to ensure they were ready to act with confidence.

“An excellent submission with demonstrable results, showing great growth, client retention, and a well-looked-after client base and community.”

Major Franchise Brokerage of the Year
Loan Market

This winner brings together national scale, flexibility, innovative technology, and hands-on business support to help franchisees grow, improve profitability, and deliver a consistently professional client experience.

“A very strong submission from a large-scale, national player. They showed comprehensive evidence with strong metrics and innovation with a great market understanding.”

Customer Service of the Year - Office
The Australian Lending & Investment Centre

This winner delivers exceptional customer service through a highly personalised approach, innovative technology, and a strong team-based model. Its commitment to clients has built lasting trust, loyalty, repeat business, and referrals.

“Outstanding evidence of the combination of AI-enabled servicing, specialist team structure and measurable loyalty. A deep adviser base service delivering great client experience at scale.”

Independent Office of the Year
It’s Simple Finance

This winner combines exceptional service, lending expertise, and strong operational discipline, earning remarkable client loyalty and referrals. Its reputation for finding solutions others cannot has driven strong repeat business and referrals, while its commitment to integrity sets it apart.

“An exceptional submission with detailed case studies and a demonstration of using social media to take an active stand on key issues.”

Major Aggregator of the Year
Connective

This winner stands out through its broker-first model, combining flexible contracts, reliable commission payments, innovative technology, and personalised support. These strengths attract new brokers, strengthen retention, and help members grow.

“Genuine standout with every claim backed by evidence. Connective showed signifi cant growth during the year, all organic, and no lock-in – so every broker there stays by choice, not by contract.”