Commercial Confidence, Refinancing and ‘Mortgage Regret’ Define Broker Strategies

SYDNEY – 24, November 2025 –  Equifax has today released its 2025 Mortgage Broker Pulse Survey, revealing that Australian mortgage brokers are overwhelmingly positive about commercial lending, with three out of four (77%) anticipating an increase in commercial loan writing for small-to-medium (SMBs) and large businesses over the next 12 months.

By comparison, in 2024 when the survey was last conducted, only 23% of brokers said they anticipated this to be the case,  signifying a potential uptick in the broader economic outlook for commercial lending across the SMB sector.

Beyond commercial lending, the survey highlights that brokers are sharply focusing their forward-looking strategies on refinancing activity. With the impacts of three cash rate cuts in the 2025 calendar year now being realised, brokers have said they are prioritising refinancing opportunities for existing customers (83%), and proactively identifying and working with customers who are dealing with  ‘mortgage regret’ (72%). 

“While residential refinancing remains a key pillar, brokers are showing that they are savvy to changing market conditions, capitalising on the growing commercial lending opportunity,” observed Moses Samaha, Executive General Manager, Equifax.

The survey also revealed that the appetite for First Home Buyer (FHBs) activity remains robust among brokers, with 40% indicating they will continue to focus on this segment.

“It's evident that the First Home Buyer market will remain a key priority for brokers in the year ahead. With expanded government programs, such as the 5% FHB Deposit Scheme, continuing to provide more opportunities for FHBs to get into the market," noted Mr Samaha.

AI adoption doubles as brokers seek administrative relief

The survey also reveals that more than two-thirds (67%) of brokers are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in some capacity. By comparison, in 2024 when the survey was last conducted, just one third (33%) were using AI as an efficiency tool.

This significant leap in adoption is likely a response to administrative challenges faced by brokers, with 80% of respondents citing administrative and time management pressures as some of their top pain points, with 75% noting that juggling various non-integrated technology systems is a daily challenge.

“The doubling of AI adoption in just 12 months shows a clear effort by brokers to minimise their administrative load and maximise their time supporting their clients. However, even with this fast adoption, one-third (33%) of brokers also stated that AI does not currently play a role in their business.”

“In a lower rate market, and with mortgage demand increasing, those who successfully integrate AI tools into their business may be able to establish efficiency advantages over those who lag behind,” observed Mr Samaha.

Far-reaching impact of fraud nearly triples in one year

Interestingly, the 2025 survey reveals that a substantial 74% of brokers have been impacted by fraud or scams over the last 12 months. By startling comparison, when asked the same question 12 months prior, just 26% of brokers said they had been impacted by scams, signalling a significant increase in the number of fraudulent and scam related instances brokers have been experiencing. 

Specifically, half (50%) of brokers surveyed said that this activity took the form of basic scam emails, calls or texts. In addition, brokers said they were targeted by fake websites and emails (37%), document falsification (37%), and sophisticated fake scam websites 38%.

Mr Samaha noted that despite the rising threat, only 13% of brokers said they felt that it was important to stay educated and on top of protection from fraud and scams. He stressed his concern that fatigue from the omnipresent fraud awareness conversations was leading to a de-prioritisation of staying on top of best practice.

“At Equifax, we know just how aggressive fraudsters are in continuously evolving their practices. Now more than ever, it’s vital to remain educated and take precautions,” concluded Mr Samaha.

However, that is not to say that brokers are not taking action against scams. The Equifax Mortgage Broker Pulse survey also revealed that over the course of the last 12 months, more than a quarter (27%) of brokers have been placing greater scrutiny on applications to detect potentially fraudulent activity.

*The Equifax Mortgage Broker Pulse Survey, an online survey of over 1000 brokers, was conducted by Equifax in September 2025. Figures quoted here have either been rounded up or down to the nearest percent.

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At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit www.equifax.com.au or follow the company’s news on LinkedIn.

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