realestate.com.au today announced that it is building on its expansion into financial services by signing a new strategic mortgage broking partnership with NAB.

realestate.com.au and NAB have also agreed to build a mortgage broking solution, which adds to the strategic partnership announced in December 2016 to create an Australian-first end-to-end digital property search and financing experience.  To help achieve this, NAB will provide an opportunity for its Choice Home Loans brokers to join this new broking solution.

REA Group CEO Tracey Fellows commented: “We’re excited to be partnering with NAB to build a new mortgage broking solution. The way people want to look for and buy property is changing. We want to make it easier for Australians to access the help and experience of a mortgage broker through the digital channels they’re already using to find their new home.”

REA Group’s Executive Director of Financial Services Andrew Russell commented: “The partnership will give us a strong foothold in what is an increasingly important channel for consumers, for whom choice of lender is an important consideration.”

Choice Home Loans CEO Stephen Moore said: “The strategic partnership with realestate.com.au will deliver consumers an unmatched property buying experience that makes it easier and simpler for Australians to access the help, guidance and advice of a mortgage broker. We know most home buyers start their property search online and this partnership will further support our brokers in the increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving broking landscape.”

At launch of realestate.com.au Home Loans, brokers will be backed by one of Australia’s most recognisable real estate brands, presenting a vast pool of new client opportunities and market-leading digital engagement expertise that will deliver customers a seamless home lending experience.

In a separate announcement today, realestate.com.au announced it is acquiring an 80.3 per cent stake in Smartline, an independent mortgage franchise broking business.