La Trobe Financial Backs 2026 Top Commercial Mortgage Brokers List as Market Complexity Grows

Key facts

• MPA published the 2026 Best Commercial Mortgage Brokers in Australia list, sponsored by La Trobe Financial.
• Stamford Capital placed five individuals on the list, including top dealmaker Bill Moskovich.
• Simplicity Loans and Advisory secured six names on the list; Green Finance earned two slots.
• AMP Bank appointed Mark Pascoe as strategic partnerships manager in its broker distribution team.
• Pascoe joined AMP from ANZ, where he worked for 16 years, and was a mortgage broker in New Zealand.
• Broker-originated flows at AMP Bank rose to 95% in the financial year ending December 2025.
• The UK's FCA charged Shaun Lawrence with unauthorised mortgage broking, alleging breach of Section 19 of FSMA.
• Lawrence, also known as Shaun Lawrence-Bright and Shaun Bright, had his permissions revoked and was banned in 2008.

A New Benchmark for Commercial Broking Excellence

MPA has unveiled its 2026 Best Commercial Mortgage Brokers in Australia list, sponsored by La Trobe Financial, celebrating the top performers in a field defined by increasing complexity. The recognition comes as commercial broking faces surging loan values but declining individual deal counts, with stronger risk discipline and deeper client relationships reshaping the market. Cory Bannister, chief lending officer at La Trobe Financial, said the list showcases professionals who are “not only driving results but actively developing business and uncovering new opportunities in an evolving commercial lending landscape.” Their ability to adapt and grow, he added, continues to push the industry forward.

Stamford Capital and Simplicity Loans Dominate the Rankings

Stamford Capital swept the list with five individuals ranked, including number-one dealmaker Bill Moskovich. Other Stamford Capital winners were Adam Miller, Angus Sheedy, Daniel Kelly, and Grant Rex. Simplicity Loans and Advisory secured an impressive six names, while Green Finance earned two slots. Additional winners include Luke Radford of Homestead Agribusiness and Martin Kennedy of Quantaco Capital Pty Limited. The list reflects the growing importance of specialised expertise in a market where borrower expectations and funding structures are becoming more sophisticated.

AMP Bank Bolsters Broker Distribution with Key Hire

Non-major lender AMP Bank has appointed Mark Pascoe as strategic partnerships manager within its mortgage broker distribution team. Pascoe, who joined on 29 April, spent the previous 16 years at ANZ as strategic partnerships manager and earlier worked as a mortgage broker in New Zealand for four years before moving to Australia in 2010. In his new role, Pascoe will drive delivery of AMP Bank products to aggregator and broker partners, develop and execute partnership strategies, and support key initiatives for targeted business growth. Travis Hall, national manager for mortgage broker distribution, said Pascoe’s experience “will be a great asset to our team” as AMP continues to build long-term broker relationships.

Broker Channel Reaches 95% of Originations at AMP

Pascoe joins AMP as it moves forward under new leadership. Blair Vernon, formerly chief financial officer, took over as CEO from Alexis George at the end of March, describing a “new chapter for AMP” focused on pre-retiree offerings, including 10-year interest-only loans and an updated SMSF home loan offering, as well as investing in a technological overhaul for the broker channel. Brokers remain the primary channel for the bank, with broker-originated flows increasing to 95% in the financial year ending December 2025. Pascoe said he was “really thrilled to join AMP Bank” and “really excited to re-engage with aggregator partners and reconnect over at AMP,” adding that he is keen to seek feedback from aggregators, partners, and brokers.

FCA Charges Shaun Lawrence for Unauthorised Mortgage Broking

In a separate development, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority has charged Shaun Lawrence, also known as Shaun Lawrence-Bright and Shaun Bright, with operating as a mortgage broker without authorisation. Lawrence was previously authorised to give mortgage advice, but in 2008 his permissions were revoked, he was fined, and he was banned from working in financial services. The FCA alleges that Lawrence breached Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act by continuing to provide mortgage broking services despite the ban. The alleged regulated activity was arranging regulated mortgage contracts under Article 25A of the Regulated Activities Order. Lawrence, born on 15 August 1967, will appear before Hull Magistrates' Court on 2 July 2026.

Industry Implications and Regulatory Scrutiny

The contrasting stories highlight the dual pressures on the mortgage broking industry: the push for professional excellence and the need for robust regulatory oversight. In Australia, the MPA list and AMP's strategic hire underscore a market where broker performance is increasingly measured by adaptability and client relationships amid rising loan values. In the UK, the FCA's action against Lawrence signals continued vigilance against unauthorised activity, part of a broader regulatory agenda that includes reviewing APR communication, IPO research rules, and cracking down on illegal finfluencers. The FCA also recently censured Sapia, which agreed to a voluntary payment of £19,637,950 to WealthTek clients.

Outlook: A Sector at a Crossroads

As commercial broking in Australia becomes more complex, the recognition of top performers provides a benchmark for the industry. AMP's focus on technology and broker relationships, combined with its near-total reliance on the broker channel, suggests that lenders are doubling down on distribution partnerships. Meanwhile, the FCA's enforcement action serves as a reminder that the regulatory environment remains strict. The coming months will reveal how the industry balances growth with compliance, and whether the trends of rising loan values and lower deal counts persist.

The bottom line

• The 2026 MPA list highlights 13 top commercial mortgage brokers, with Stamford Capital and Simplicity Loans leading.
• AMP Bank's appointment of Mark Pascoe signals a strategic push to strengthen broker relationships and technology.
• Broker-originated flows at AMP reached 95% in FY2025, underscoring the channel's dominance.
• The UK's FCA has charged Shaun Lawrence for unauthorised mortgage broking, with a court date set for July 2026.
• The commercial broking market is seeing higher loan values but fewer deals, requiring stronger risk discipline.
• Regulatory scrutiny in the UK is intensifying, with the FCA also reviewing APR rules and finfluencer activities.