Connective launches seventh white label product with Brighten

Publication Date: Friday 30 May 2025
This article originally appeared in Australian Broker.

New product expands access to underserved lending markets

Aggregator Connective Home Loans has partnered with non-bank lender Brighten to launch Connective Horizon, a white label mortgage product aimed at borrowers underserved by traditional lenders.

The product targets lending scenarios such as expat and non-resident borrowers, commercial securities, construction, and vacant land.

This marks the seventh white label product in Connective’s portfolio.

“Connective is all about giving our brokers the products and support they need to succeed,” said Michael Goerner (pictured upper left), head of Connective Home Loans.

“Connective Horizon isn’t just another loan product. It’s a response to the demand from brokers for lending solutions they’ve struggled to access until now – like expat lending, non-resident borrowers, and specialised commercial securities. We’ve added this solution to help brokers diversify and grow their business.”

Non-bank lending gains traction among brokers

The release follows increasing broker interest in alternative lending.

Non-bank lenders are gaining prominence in 2025, driven by tighter serviceability assessments, increased refinancing activity, and the need for flexible lending solutions. They are expanding their market share, particularly in segments like self-employed, bridging, and SMSF loans, where traditional banks have become more cautious.

According to Connective, non-standard loans now make up 15% of all new broker transactions – up from 8% two years ago.

Jason Azzopardi (pictured upper right), CEO at Brighten, said the product is designed to meet demand in metropolitan areas where flexibility and speed are priorities.

“Brighten possesses deep experience delivering the most comprehensive breadth of products in the non-bank sector,” Azzopardi said. “We’ve developed a one-stop-shop for brokers ranging from competitive prime full doc and alt doc loans to our niche products across commercial, construction, bridging, expat and non-resident loans,” he said.

“The entire Brighten team is genuinely excited about this partnership with Connective. We look forward to providing the Connective network our ‘easy to deal with’ service experience.”

Smart solutions to support broker growth

Connective Horizon adds to the aggregator’s already expansive white label suite, offering brokers more choice and the ability to support complex client needs.

“With Connective Horizon, we’re delivering what the market is asking for,” said Glenn Lees (pictured lower left), CEO of Connective.

“We’re confident this product will help brokers unlock new opportunities and support a broader range of clients. We’re proud to partner with Brighten to bring this unique solution to market.”

Chris Meaker (pictured lower right), head of sales and distribution at Brighten, said the partnership significantly extends Brighten’s distribution footprint.

“Connective Horizon gives brokers access to more options and opens up segments they may have previously struggled to serve, creating new opportunities to grow and diversify their client base,” Meaker said.

Product features and loan types

Along with prime and near-prime full doc and alt doc options, Connective Horizon includes:

• Expat and non-resident loans
• Construction loans
• Vacant land loans
• Bridging finance
• Commercial full doc, alt doc, and lease doc loans
• Short-term asset lending

Continued investment in broker success

Already recognised for offering one of the industry’s broadest white label ranges, Connective Home Loans said Horizon is the next step in meeting modern borrower expectations.

“Partnership with Brighten is a major milestone in our white label journey,” Goerner said. “We’ll continue to innovate and expand our range to make sure Connective brokers have access to the best solutions in the market for their customers.”

Now available to Connective members

The product is available exclusively through Connective member brokers as part of the aggregator’s white label offering.
Connective brokers saw record-breaking lending activity in 2024, settling $104.8 billion across all loan types—a 10.5% increase from 2023—highlighting strong demand and sustained growth across the network.