Cotality is making a bigger play in the broker space.
The research firm, formerly known as CoreLogic, has appointed its first broker ambassador – Christian Stevens, cofounder and chief executive officer of Sydney-based brokerage Flint Group (pictured above) — as part of its strategy to highlight the mortgage broking space while offering new tools and services to brokers.
"The broker channel is evolving quickly. We want to ensure brokers have access to high-quality data, [and] automation that works, and tools that support long-term client relationships," said Chris Wagner, head of broker at Cotality. "Having Christian in this role gives brokers a stronger voice in how we build and refine our solutions. He knows what matters to brokers, and what doesn't."
The announcement coincides with Cotality’s launch of a new suite of broker tools designed to eliminate manual tasks, streamline preparation and settlement processes, and provide fresh insights. It also comes at a time when borrowers across Australia are increasingly turning to brokers for their financial needs. According to the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia's (MFAA) latest data, mortgage brokers now settle nearly 77% of all new residential home loans.
Lisa Jennings, executive, corporate business development at Cotality, said Stevens' knowledge and expertise in the mortgage industry offers Cotality "a valuable perspective to our product development process."
“His insights are already helping us test assumptions, validate ideas and stay focused on what brokers really need to succeed," she said.
Stevens, who brings more than a decade of experience in the mortgage and finance sectors, founded Flint in early 2024. Since then, the award-winning firm has worked with clients across Australia, offering services in residential mortgages, commercial lending, asset finance, business loans and private banking. This past May, Flint established its first brick-and-mortar offices outside of New South Wales when it merged with Adelaide-based firm Brokerage & Co.
But it was in 2024 that the research firm reached out to Stevens about collaborating.
"This is a pretty big deal, because Cotality is the leader when it comes to property data and insights in Australia," Stevens told Australian Broker. "For them to now want to work more closely with brokers shows how important our role is in the property and finance space. For me, it’s exciting because I get to have a hand in shaping tools that actually make sense for brokers on the ground. At the end of the day, it’s about helping us add more value to our clients and lift the standard of mortgage advice across the industry."
In the broker ambassador role, Stevens will serve as a liaison between the broker community and Cotality, including helping codesign tools for brokers and drive the adoption of tech that supports their success.
"This role is about making sure technology serves brokers, not the other way around," Stevens said. "Too often, research or tech platforms are built without really understanding how brokers operate day-to-day. I want to help close that gap. If we can design tools around real broker needs, then we can add more value to clients, and that’s what this is all about.
"Research has traditionally been built for banks or institutions, not for brokers," he said. "That means it often feels a bit removed from what we actually need. Most brokers are dealing with the same challenges. There’s so much information out there, but not enough clarity, and we’re all under pressure with time. We don’t need 40-page reports. We need quick, practical insights that can be used in real client conversations. Clients, on the other hand, expect us to have answers straight away and be across every shift in the market.
"If brokers can spend less time digging through data and more time sitting in front of clients with clear, practical insights, it lifts the whole experience," Stevens added. "It’s not just a win for brokers. It’s a win for clients too, because they’re getting better advice and more confidence in their decisions."
