Broker eyes bigger share with new capital

The firm looks to gain a bigger share of the market after accounting for about 1% of the mortgage broking business in 2017

Broker eyes bigger share with new capital
Online mortgage broker Lendi is gearing up to take a bigger slice of the mortgage broking pie with fresh capital raised last month.

Lendi told Australian Broker that it completed an AUD25m capital-raising exercise last month and that it was oversubscribed. The exercise was supported by some of Lendi's existing shareholders, large investors, and a number of blue-chip Australian institutions.

The company is looking to win a bigger share of the market after accounting for about 1% of the mortgage broking business in 2017, the Australian Financial Review reported yesterday (16 Jan).

The finance start-up behind Lendi raised AUD6m in a capital-raising exercise in 2014 and secured AUD3.1 million from high net worth investors.

Founders and employees own 40% of Lendi, with other investors holding the rest of its shares. Its big shareholder names include Macquarie Bank, investment manager Bailador, and home loan provider Pepper Group. It also has high-net-worth investors in its list.

Lendi struck a deal with Domain Group last year to launch a joint broking venture. Called Domain Loan Finder, the venture offers a digital solution for Australians looking to secure a home loan. Domain owns 60% of the unit, with Lendi's parent company, Auscred, holding the remaining 40%.

Lendi began operations in 2013 as an online and phone-based broking business. It compares more than 1,600 products from over 30 lenders.

This article first appeared in our sister publication Australian Broker.


Related stories:
Brokers need social media to target Gen Z
What brokers want in 2018?