Viking Aggregation launches resi and commercial arms
Viking Aggregation has begun onboarding brokers to its long-awaited residential and commercial aggregation offering, building on its existing asset finance aggregation business.
First launched in November 2023 as an asset finance aggregator, Viking has been building out into residential and commercial aggregation, becoming the first new residential aggregation group in over 15 years (since Finsure and outsource Financial launched).
Last year, Viking brought in industry veteran Clive Kirkpatrick (a former general manager of Vow Aggregation) as managing director, overseeing both the residential and commercial arms.
Speaking to The Adviser, Kirkpatrick said the long-awaited launch comes after a series of delays, which were partly due to the fact that the market has not welcomed a new aggregation group (excluding any groups formed by mergers of existing aggregators) in over a decade.
Issues in setting up the new aggregation offering reportedly included delays with lender accreditations, the length of time needed to build a proprietary technology stack and commission portals, funding challenges, as well as changes in the senior leadership team.
However, he told The Adviser that these challenges have been overcome to deliver a “best-of-breed” aggregation offering.
Kirkpatrick said: “We are excited to get Viking to market. As the first new aggregator to market in around 15 years, we are ready to provide a different experience.”
ANZ tightens up home lending to companies
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) became the latest major lender to tighten mortgage lending criteria for company borrowers, including those acting as trustees.
From 8 January, ANZ stopped offering home loans to new customers borrowing in a company structure unless they already met the bank’s eligibility requirements and capped the loan-to-value ratio for eligible borrowers at 70 per cent. The policy does not affect loans to individual trustees.
In a 9 January update to brokers, seen by The Adviser, ANZ confirmed that only existing customers will be able to take out a company-structured home loan.
To qualify, borrowers must have held an ANZ lending product for at least six months (via a personal or business account) or maintained a term deposit, transaction, or savings account for at least 12 months.
The move mirrors recent changes at other major lenders that followed Macquarie Bank’s decision to withdraw from new home loans to company and trust borrowers entirely in late October 2025.
HESTA reports record downsizer contributions
HESTA Super Fund, an industry superannuation fund for people working in health and community services, has revealed that 2025 was a record year for downsizer contributions, driven by a surge at the end of the 2025 spring selling season.
The fund, which serves workers in health and community services, said contributions climbed to more than $94 million last year, up over 8 per cent on 2024 and 45 per cent higher than on 2023.
HESTA also said December 2025 delivered its strongest month on record.
Under current rules, Australians aged 55 and over can contribute up to $300,000 from the sale or part-sale of their home into super, with the downsizer contribution excluded from non-concessional caps.
Debby Blakey, HESTA CEO, said the rise highlights growing awareness among older Australians seeking to boost retirement savings and make better use of built-up housing equity.
“The exceptional spring results and record annual total show how this policy can both boost super balances in a tax-efficient way and potentially free up larger homes for families that need the space,” Blakey said.
Banks activate disaster relief after bushfires and floods
Extreme weather events hit Australia hard at the start of 2026, with catastrophic bushfires in Victoria and widespread flooding across north-west Queensland, prompting urgent action.
In Victoria, fires fuelled by heatwaves and strong winds destroyed more than 350 structures and burnt 350,000 hectares, with a state of disaster declared across 18 local government areas.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s Cloncurry Shire and surrounding regions have faced over a year’s worth of rainfall in just days, isolating communities, washing out roads and airstrips, and causing catastrophic losses to cattle and crops.
These disasters saw banks roll out a number of relief packages for affected borrowers.
Lenders, including NAB, Westpac, ANZ, and CBA, announced they would offer loan repayment deferrals, credit card relief, fee waivers, emergency credit, and grants to cover urgent expenses such as accommodation, food, and clothing. These measures complement government assistance, including low-interest loans, disaster recovery grants, emergency fodder support, and mental health and wellbeing programs.
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) urged affected households, farmers, and businesses to reach out early to access support.
“Banks have a range of financial assistance available, from repayment deferrals to loan restructuring, to help customers get back on their feet,” said ABA CEO Simon Birmingham.
