Data compiled by finance consultants MISC Global shows that the rate of mortgage ‘churning’ through mortgage brokers has declined sharply, with the number of brokers selling a mortgage in the March quarter falling to 119 from 161 in the same quarter last year.

 

The results reflect a 25% reduction in the number of operating mortgage brokers, following a tightening up by banks of commission payments to brokers for refinancing loans, increasing government regulation of the industry and a cooling property market.  Firms that have survived are writing 20 per cent less business than a year ago, selling $11.6 billion in mortgages in the March quarter.

 

MISC has been monitoring the sector since 2001, when there were 613 mortgage brokers in operation.