The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and the Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA) have taken another major step in strengthening their strategic partnership, holding their first-ever joint board and executive meeting to discuss the next phase of cooperation.
The meeting marks a milestone in what both peak industry bodies call a unified effort to elevate professionalism and strengthen advocacy across the mortgage and commercial finance sectors.
The joint meeting follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2024, which formalised collaboration between the two associations after years of close cooperation. Together, the MFAA – representing more than 16,000 mortgage and finance professionals – and CAFBA, the national body for commercial and asset finance brokers, have been working to align their advocacy, education, and professional standards initiatives.
Over the past 15 months, the partnership has delivered tangible results through joint research, professional development, and policy advocacy.
Highlights include:
The meeting comes at a time of significant change across both mortgage and commercial finance. Mortgage brokers now write more than 75% of all new home loans in Australia – the highest share on record – reflecting growing trust and reliance on brokers for credit advice. Meanwhile, commercial lending has become the fastest-growing segment in broking, with the number of brokers writing commercial loans rising 24% year-on-year – the sharpest increase in three decades.
MFAA chair Kerri Buurman (pictured right) said the meeting reflected a shared vision for the future of the broking industry.
“Today’s meeting was about us taking a longer-term view on how we can collaborate for the benefit of our respective members, their clients and our industry,” Buurman said.
She said the formal partnership had already delivered clear benefits.
“Each association excels at member support in its own right,” Buurman said. “We also have a shared commitment to continue elevating the professionalism of the Australian broking industry. Our MOU brings this to life through tangible member-focused initiatives.”
She added that advocacy collaboration has amplified both associations’ voices on key industry issues.
“It has long been my opinion that if our associations work together on advocacy and stakeholder engagement, we have greater impact, something I believe adds tremendous value to all members of our industry,” Buurman said.
CAFBA president Domenic Lo Surdo (pictured left) said the meeting represented a defining moment for both associations and for the broking profession as a whole.
“Today’s inaugural meeting marks an important milestone for the broking profession, with CAFBA and MFAA coming together to advance shared values, strengthen professional standards, and highlight the critical role that both commercial and mortgage brokers play in driving the Australian economy,” he said.
Lo Surdo said that while each association maintains its own focus – CAFBA on commercial and asset finance and the MFAA on mortgage and consumer lending — their collaboration ensures the entire profession remains united on key issues.
“Each of our associations has a different purpose and focus, however, there are many issues where the membership of both benefit through working together and sharing ideas,” he said.
“By doing so, we reinforce the importance of professionalism and unity across the industry, ensuring we continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for our members, businesses, households, and the broader Australian community.”
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