Broker association chief sits down with MPA as National Conference and National Excellence Awards get under way
As the 2026 Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) National Conference and National Excellence Awards kicks into gear, MPA sat down with MFAA chief executive Anja Pannek to talk through the mood of the industry, the association's advocacy priorities for the year ahead, and what's changed in this year's award lineup.
What will be front and centre of the conversations this week?
"The mortgage and finance broking industry is just such a significant part of the lending landscape for Australia and Australians now," Pannek said. "We saw that absolutely confirmed when we announced through our research with Cotality that mortgage broker market share hit 81% in the March quarter."
She said the environment brokers have operated in over the past year has been unusually dynamic – citing policy reform, interest rate movements and rapid change in technology and AI – and that this year's conference theme, "Built on trust," is designed to give the industry a moment to reflect on how that market position was earned”.
"That achievement of where this industry is at reflects the trust that brokers have built with their clients, and that trust has been built one conversation, one client at a time," she said. "It also gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect and say, how do we continue to protect and elevate that trust on which the industry has been built?"
The conference program – which includes sessions with the assistant treasurer Daniel Mulino and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Commissioner Alan Kirkland – will cover commercial lending opportunities, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, alongside practical conversations about broking processes in an increasingly digital environment.
How would you sum up the mood of the industry right now?
Pannek described the mood as one of "cautious optimism”, pointing to a reset among brokers following recent federal Budget announcements, particularly those affecting investor lending and self-managed super fund (SMSF) lending niches.
"Clients have been reaching out to their brokers pretty much the moment after the federal Budget announcements came out, seeking clarity and trying to understand what their options were on a go-forward basis," she said. "For us, that just really highlights the value of brokers."
She added that despite the period of recalibration, broker usage has kept climbing over the past year. "More Australians than ever are still choosing to use both a mortgage broker and, increasingly, a finance broker."
What's topping the MFAA's advocacy agenda for the year ahead?
Pannek listed several priorities: continuing to promote broker choice and competition with regulators and government; working through the technical detail of recently passed tax and policy reforms; supporting the expansion of open finance and consumer data rights following their recent commencement; and pushing for "fair, balanced and proportionate regulation" through submissions to the government's productivity inquiry.
The compensation scheme of last resort (CSLR) will also "remain a very big focus”, as large claims continue to come through the scheme, with the association awaiting the outcome of a review.
Housing affordability and supply, and support for small business – recognising that the majority of MFAA members are small business operators – round out the list, alongside continued investment in professional development and mentoring standards.
What are you most looking forward to at the National Excellence Awards?
"Being in a room and celebrating the amazing achievements of our members and the businesses and organisations that support brokers right across our industry and right across our country," Pannek said, noting this year's record 850-plus award submissions reflect the calibre of talent in the sector.
She said hearing finalists speak about their clients and communities is what makes the night stand out. "The passion for their clients, for their communities and for this industry is just really electrifying."
To this year's finalists and winners, Pannek offered congratulations on reaching the national stage after already being recognised as the best in their state. "You demonstrate leadership, you demonstrate professionalism and, of course, that unwavering commitment to your clients. On behalf of the MFAA and everyone – thank you for what you do."
Are there any new award categories this year, and why were they added?
The one new category this year is a Boutique Aggregator Award.
"One of the things we wanted to do was recognise the different way smaller and more boutique aggregators support their members, brokers, which can be quite different in terms of the hands-on support and the value proposition because of size and scale," Pannek said.
She also pointed to the Mentor of the Year and Mentoring Program award, now in its second year following the introduction of MFAA mentoring standards in 2024, which will be a focus of discussion when the MFAA Mentoring Community of Practice convenes in Melbourne during conference week.
The MFAA National Conference runs in Melbourne on 21–22 July 2026, bringing together more than 800 attendees and 40-plus industry partners for what the association describes as a full day focused on "what's changing, what matters most, and how to build a stronger, more resilient broking business." Attendees can earn up to eight continuing professional development (CPD) hours across the program.
