In a move not altogether unfamiliar to the industry, Illawarra-based building society, IMB, will phase out the use of its mortgage brokers in a bid to increase its profit margins.
Despite reporting an 8.1% increase in net profit to $21.6 million for the year to June, IMB’s chief executive, Robert Ryan, revealed plans to shift the building society’s residential mortgage focus solely to its direct distribution channel.
“We are seeking at some point to phase out brokers on the residential mortgage side, but are committed to them on the commercial side,” he said.
“We want to increase mortgage sales though our own channels and continue to strongly grow deposits.”
IMB reported a 1.65% margin improvement as a result of its reduction in the use of brokers thus far, and has ramped up its mobile lender staff to supplement any potential market share loss as it continues to cull its third party distribution channel.