Unlocking the ease of commercial distribution
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While it won’t make you a cappuccino, ScotPac’s Partner Portal makes helping commercial clients so fast and easy brokers will wonder how they did without it
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THE COMMERCIAL lending landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth through the broker channel, with MFAA data showing the value of commercial lending deals settled by brokers has doubled since 2020. Recent industry research reveals that 37% of brokers wrote commercial loans in the past year, with an additional 28% planning to enter the market in the next 12 months.
For many lenders, the solution to capturing this growth opportunity may already be sitting in their technology stack. Lenders currently using ApplyOnline® for residential lending possess an untapped capability that could transform their commercial distribution overnight – they just need to activate it.
The momentum behind broker diversification into commercial lending is undeniable, with more than 7,000 brokers now actively writing commercial loans and the settled value reaching nearly $23 billion. However, this growth has highlighted a critical gap: while brokers submit home loan applications in minutes, they’re often forced to revert to email submissions and manual processes for commercial deals. Many lenders haven’t realised their existing ApplyOnline investment already includes a digital commercial lending solution.
The digital origination imperative “Commercial loans should all be originated digitally to ensure efficiencies at point of sale and inside lender operations,” explains Tony Carn, chief customer officer at NextGen. “ApplyOnline provides that plug-and-play distribution solution.”
NextGen is Australia’s leading technology provider to the lending industry, pioneering state-of-the-art solutions from loan application through to processing and settlement. Our mission is to make lending easy by providing lenders, aggregators and brokers with simpler and more efficient ways to deliver for their customers.
Tony Carn,
NextGen
Tony Carn, NextGen
Industry commentary has increasingly highlighted the need for “a powerful combination of human expertise and digital transformation” in commercial broking. Recent media coverage emphasises that borrowers are seeking holistic solutions across different life stages, with strong momentum building in commercial and SMSF lending.
Platforms like ApplyOnline, already trusted by 97% of brokers for residential loans, are now enabling lenders to offer the same streamlined experience for commercial and SMSF lending.
A growing network of leading lenders RedZed’s recent expansion of its ApplyOnline partnership to include commercial and SMSF loan applications
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“Lenders using ApplyOnline for commercial loans demonstrate their commitment to the broker channel by providing the same streamlined efficiency brokers expect from residential lending”
“Commercial loans should all be originated digitally to ensure efficiencies at point of sale and inside lender operations. ApplyOnline provides that plug-and-play distribution solution”
With commercial lending through brokers doubling since 2020, lenders are racing to provide the digital origination tools brokers need to capture growth opportunities
While it won’t make you a cappuccino,
ScotPac’s Partner Portal makes helping commercial clients so fast and easy brokers will wonder how they did without it
Published 22 Sep 2025
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IN Partnership with
Advertising
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Australian Broker Talk
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Sector Focus
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demonstrates the tangible value proposition in action. After launching home loan applications on ApplyOnline in November 2024, RedZed achieved a 75% reduction in processing time and saw digital submission rates increase from 30% to 50% in just six months.
“We’re here to support brokers, and there is enormous potential in the commercial and SMSF spaces – we want to help our broker partners capitalise on this,” said Calvin Cordle, managing director of RedZed. The lender’s expansion includes both platform integration and team growth to support increased commercial activity.
Similarly, MA Money’s adoption of ApplyOnline came directly from broker feedback demanding better digital tools. Having recently surpassed $3 billion in loans under management, MA Money is now preparing to launch commercial, SMSF and bridging loans through the platform. The broker response has been overwhelmingly positive.
They join a growing number of lenders that have activated commercial lending through their existing ApplyOnline investments, including Pepper Money, Gateway Bank, ORDE Financial, Suncorp, La Trobe Financial, Mortgage Ezy, Better Choice and Bluestone. This expanding network demonstrates the scalability and proven demand for familiar platform-based commercial lending.
Supporting broker diversification For lenders already invested in ApplyOnline, extending commercial capability represents the ultimate leverage of existing technology infrastructure. Commercial lending is rapidly evolving from an optional add-on to what industry observers describe as a “core part of broker operations”.
“Lenders using ApplyOnline for commercial loans demonstrate their commitment to the broker channel by providing the same streamlined efficiency brokers expect from residential lending,” says Carn. This standardisation removes barriers that previously discouraged broker participation in commercial markets.
Rather than requiring brokers to adopt new systems or workflows, lenders can activate commercial lending within the platform brokers already use every day. This familiar environment allows brokers to build more resilient business models while providing clients with comprehensive finance solutions through a single trusted contact.
MFAA CEO Anja Pannek describes this trend as creating “enhanced competition and choice” where SME clients are provided with more options through broker channels.
The competitive advantage Digital origination ensures accurate information capture at the point of sale, reduces processing times and provides better transparency throughout the application process. This allows brokers to manage client expectations more effectively while giving lenders the standardised data they need for efficient decision-making.
Industry analysis has noted that competition in the broker channel has intensified as brokers capture an ever-larger share of new home loan originations. Brokers who don’t offer comprehensive product suites risk losing clients to those who can provide tailored solutions across multiple lending categories.
Lenders that embrace digital origination for commercial lending gain several competitive advantages. They can reach the entire broker network through a platform brokers already use daily, eliminating the need for separate system training. Digital origination provides operational efficiencies within lender operations. Standardised data capture, automated workflows and digital document management reduce processing costs while improving turnaround times.
Perhaps most importantly, digital origination demonstrates a genuine commitment to the broker channel. At a time when brokers have numerous lender options, those that invest in broker-friendly technology solutions stand out from competitors still relying on manual processes.
Meeting market expectations The broker market has evolved significantly in recent years. Today’s brokers expect the same level of digital sophistication across all product types. Manual processes that were once acceptable are now viewed as obstacles to efficiency and growth.
This expectation aligns with broader market trends towards digitalisation. Digital platforms also support compliance requirements. With ASIC increasing oversight of commercial broking practices, having robust digital processes that ensure proper documentation and information capture becomes increasingly important.
Capturing the growth opportunity The commercial lending market presents enormous untapped potential. Industry estimates suggest that only 35–40% of commercial loans currently flow through the broker channel, leaving what some refer to as “the other 60%” as a significant opportunity for growth.
This presents a compelling case for lenders to invest in broker-friendly technology solutions. Those who provide superior digital tools and streamlined processes will capture a disproportionate share of this expanding market.
The most successful lenders are those that recognise that technology investment isn’t just about internal efficiency – it’s about providing brokers with the tools they need to grow their businesses. When brokers can offer clients a seamless experience across residential and commercial lending, it strengthens relationships and creates opportunities for portfolio growth.
Looking forward The commercial lending market’s trajectory is clear: continued growth through the broker channel driven by increasing broker diversification and client demand. The question for lenders is whether they’ll lead this transformation or play catch-up.
Those that act now to implement digital origination solutions will establish themselves as broker-friendly lenders committed to supporting the channel’s growth. They’ll capture market share while building the operational efficiencies needed to handle increased volumes profitably.
RedZed and MA Money’s success stories demonstrate that the benefits are immediate and measurable – both for lender operations and broker productivity. As the commercial lending market continues its rapid expansion, the lenders that embrace digital origination will be best positioned to capitalise on the growth opportunities ahead.
“Lenders using ApplyOnline for commercial loans demonstrate their commitment to the broker channel by providing the same streamlined efficiency brokers expect from residential lending”
Tony Carn,
NextGen
“Lenders using ApplyOnline for commercial loans demonstrate their commitment to the broker channel by providing the same streamlined efficiency brokers expect from residential lending”
Tony Carn,
NextGen