Insights from MPA’s 2025 Roundtable

Commercial lending in Australia is experiencing rapid transformation. With broker-driven commercial lending volumes almost doubling in the past five years, the conversation has shifted from transactions to relationships, from rigid processes to agile solutions. At Millbrook Group, we’re proud to be part of this evolution.

Recently, our Head of Origination, George Lyall, joined the MPA Commercial Lenders Roundtable 2025: Breaking Barriers between Brokers and Commercial Lenders. The event brought together leaders across the industry to explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping commercial finance today.

The State of the Market

The commercial lending landscape has seen remarkable growth:

• Broker-originated commercial lending has nearly doubled, rising from $43.1 billion to $85.9 billion between September 2019 and September 2024.
• There has been a 24% year-on-year increase in the number of brokers writing commercial loans as of September 2024.

This growth reflects both the increasing sophistication of brokers and the demand from SMEs and property developers for smarter, faster funding solutions.

Barriers Still Exist

While growth is strong, challenges remain. The roundtable discussion highlighted ongoing friction points, including:

• Lengthy turnaround times
• Rigid lending policies that don’t suit complex scenarios
• Gaps in communication between lenders and brokers

George shared how Millbrook approaches these issues: “Brokers want more than a transaction; they want a partner. At Millbrook, we cut through complexity by focusing on fundamentals, applying commercial common sense, and moving quickly to support deals that stack up.”

Millbrook’s Role in Breaking Barriers

At Millbrook, our philosophy is simple: we don’t just fund deals — we back brokers. That means:

• Listening carefully to the deal logic, not just the data
• Structuring solutions for complex ownership, unusual timelines, or presale-free developments
• Delivering indicative term sheets within 24 hours
• Working with brokers to help them win and retain clients

By removing unnecessary friction, we aim to strengthen broker relationships and drive better outcomes for borrowers.

Looking Ahead

The momentum in the broker-led commercial lending market is undeniable. But to sustain this growth, lenders and brokers need to work closer than ever before. Events like the MPA Roundtable help bridge that gap, fostering collaboration and understanding.

As George highlighted during the discussion: “The next phase for commercial lending is about speed, transparency, and partnership. Brokers who align with lenders that prioritise these values will be best positioned to grow.”

At Millbrook, we’re excited to continue supporting brokers with flexible, fast, and reliable funding solutions that meet the needs of today’s market.

Want to read the full coverage from MPA? Click here to view the article

Want to see how Millbrook can support your next scenario? Get in touch with our team: millbrookgroup.com.au/borrow