Michael Maiolo Wins Innovator of the Year at the 2026 Broker Innovation Awards

We’re thrilled to share some news with our SMSF Loan Experts community!

Our Senior Lending Strategist, Michael Maiolo, was officially named Winner of the Innovator of the Year – Investor Lending Specialist at the prestigious 2026 Broker Innovation Awards!

Hosted nationally by Broker Daily and judged by an independent panel of Australia’s top finance authorities, the Broker Innovation Awards recognise leaders who are genuinely pushing the mortgage industry forward. Standing out among more than 150 elite finalists across the country, Michael brought home the top honour in investor lending while also being named a national finalist in two other major categories:

• 🏆 WINNER: Innovator of the Year – Investor Lending Specialist

• ⭐ FINALIST: Innovator of the Year – Commercial Finance Broker

• ⭐ FINALIST: Innovator of the Year – Specialist Lending Broker

As the specialist team representing The Melbourne Mortgage Company—which powers SMSF Loan Experts as its dedicated sub-brand—we couldn’t be prouder. We all strive daily to make complex, niche lending accessible for everyday Australian property investors, and this national accolade is proof that our approach is setting the standard.

What Does This Award Mean for Your Retirement Fund?

Industry awards are great, but what do they mean for you as an investor or business owner?

Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) lending isn’t like a standard mortgage. Between strict Australian Taxation Office (ATO) compliance rules, Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs), and a shrinking list of mainstream banks willing to touch SMSF loans, getting approved can feel like running an obstacle course.

That’s where true innovation changes the game. Winning an award for Investor Lending Innovation means we don’t just rely on standard off-the-shelf bank formulas. It means:

• Unlocking Higher Borrowing Power: Finding niche non-bank lenders who offer generous SMSF borrowing capacities and competitive interest rates.

• Streamlining Red Tape: Structuring your Bare Trust and Corporate Trustee correctly from day one so your loan application doesn’t get stuck in approval limbo.

• Saving Your Personal Cash Flow: Leveraging your existing super balance to buy high-yielding property without pulling funds out of your personal pocket.

Why work with a specialist?

SMSF lending rules leave zero room for error. A minor structural mistake in your LRBA can lead to severe tax penalties or a declined loan. Having an award-winning specialist manage your deal gives you complete peace of mind from pre-approval to settlement.

What’s Possible? The Ultimate Win-Win for Business Owners

With recent 2026 rule changes banning new residential borrowings inside SMSFs, the superannuation landscape has shifted. Still, business real property (commercial, industrial, office, and retail premises) is 100% exempt from these borrowing bans. If you’re a small business owner or self-employed, that makes your SMSF one of the single most powerful tax-effective assets you have to scale your business and build wealth.

Here’s what we can help you achieve:

• Stop Throwing Away Rent: Instead of paying thousands in commercial rent every month to an external landlord, your self-managed super fund buys your commercial premises using a combination of your super balance and an SMSF commercial loan.

• Pay Rent Directly to Yourself: Your business then rents the property from your SMSF at market rates. That rent becomes a fully tax-deductible expense for your operating business, while dropping directly into your super fund as wealth-building income.

• Protect Your Operating Business: By holding your commercial property inside a separate SMSF structure, your physical premises are shielded from business liabilities while enjoying super’s low tax rate of just 15% on rental income (and down to 0% once you hit retirement phase)!

Standard Broker vs. Award-Winning SMSF Specialist

Feature	Standard Mortgage Broker	Michael Maiolo & SMSF Loan Experts
Self-Employed Expertise	Struggles with complex business tax returns & add-backs	Deep understanding of self-employed financials & business structures
SMSF Commercial Policy	Tries to force commercial deals through standard residential desks	100% specialised in Commercial & Business Real Property LRBAs
Lender Network	Limited to mainstream banks with strict, rigid criteria	Direct access to competitive non-bank & specialist commercial SMSF lenders
End-to-End Execution	“Ask your accountant first and come back to us.”	Seamless collaboration with your accountant, financial planner, & solicitor

A Proven Track Record of Excellence

This latest 2026 trophy joins a growing cabinet of national industry recognitions for Michael and the wider team:'

• 2026 Broker Innovation Awards: Winner – Innovator of the Year (Investor Lending Specialist) & Dual Finalist (Commercial Finance & Specialist Lending)

• 2025 Broker Innovation Awards: Dual Finalist (Investor Lending Specialist & Commercial Finance Broker)

• 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards: Excellence Awardee / Top 10 Finalist – Pepper Money Broker of the Year (Specialist Lending)

• 2024 Australian Mortgage Awards: Winner – Pepper Money Broker of the Year (Specialist Lending)

Behind every nomination and award is a real Australian family or business owner who successfully used their super to build real-world wealth.

Ready to Explore What Your SMSF Can Buy?

Your superannuation is likely one of the single biggest financial assets you will accumulate over your working life. Leaving it sitting in a passive fund means leaving your financial future to chance.

If you’ve been curious about buying a commercial property inside your super, work with a team recognised as the best in the business.

Reach out to Michael Maiolo and the team at SMSF Loan Experts today for an initial strategy session. Let’s turn your super into a property-backed retirement strategy.

Disclaimer: This article contains general information only and does not constitute personal financial, taxation, or legal advice. Before acting on any information, you should consider your circumstances and seek advice from a licensed financial advisor or SMSF specialist.