Newly established brokerage, ARC Lending Network is making waves in South Australia with the founders stepping away from a franchise model and into independence with AFG. Led by Andrew Kantarias, Matthew Kantarias and Jacob Borg, their story is nothing short of inspiring. From launching their careers straight out of their teens to growing five franchise locations, they’ve now taken control of their futures and opened their own brokerage.
The bold move to independence
After years of operating in a franchise model, the trio realised they wanted more – more autonomy, more long-term business value and a business that they could truly call their own. In late 2024, they took the leap to leave the franchise model behind and build their own independent business from the ground up.
Andrew reflected on his shift in mindset:
“There’s nothing like writing for your own business. The good, the bad, the ugly – it’s all on you now, but I love the satisfaction I get from it. I started thinking about the long term and whether I could eventually pass my business on to my family. When I realised that wasn’t so simple within the franchise model, it made me step back and reflect.”
Jacob echoed that sentiment, realising the franchise model had limitations: “Once we started asking questions about what an exit would look like, we realised the restrictions were greater than we initially thought. We didn’t want to wait another five years and find ourselves in a position where we couldn’t move on. Even though my motivations might’ve been a bit different, the goal of having a saleable asset stayed the same. I realised I didn’t have the freedom to sell it if I wanted to go and do something else.”
Building their own brand
While stepping away from an established brand was daunting, they knew they had the skills, experience and vision to succeed.
“We were ready to walk away for nothing if it meant we could build something truly ours,” Jacob shared. “Once we made that decision, everything else became easier. Anything beyond that was a bonus.”
Fast forward to today, ARC Lending Network is thriving. With a team of nine they offer asset finance, residential finance, and commercial finance (hence the name ARC). But they’re doing things a bit different – focusing on business value, not just settlement volumes.
Matthew explained, “We’ve always been on the same page about how we wanted to do business. That gives us the confidence that we can each spend time growing the business not just writing loans. Where previously, if I wrote less loans that meant I made less money. We didn’t want to make little businesses inside the business.”
ARC Lending Network blends a relationship-driven approach with cutting-edge technology to simplify the mortgage process for their clients. “We want to make financing as seamless and stress-free as possible,” Andrew explained. “And just as importantly, we want to create an environment where our team has the right support and systems in place to grow their careers.”
The right partner for growth
Leaving a franchise meant finding the right aggregator to partner with. They weren’t just looking at settlement volumes anymore, they needed a partner that prioritised business growth, sustainability and profit to help them build a saleable asset.
Matthew explained, “We were looking for a long-term partnership. AFG stood out because they focus on making brokers great business owners, not just loan writers. We love AFG’s technology, BrokerEngine Plus and the automation it provides. It was one of our main drivers to join AFG. We’ve been able to streamline our staffing lines and processes, where previously we had a team of 20, we’re now operating with half of that.”
Jacob was surprised by the level of support: “I always thought moving away from a franchise model meant less support, but we’ve had even more from AFG, whether it’s marketing, technology, deal structuring or just general support from our State Manager or Partnership Manager.”
Andrew added that having access to a wider lender panel was also a game changer: “We were turning away business without realising it. Now, we can service 10-15% more clients and offer even more competitive options.”
A leap worth taking
Looking back, the trio believes that investing in themselves was the best decision they ever made.
“Investing in yourself isn’t as scary as you think.” Andrew said. “If you have the right systems and genuinely want to help clients, you’ll succeed. Take that leap of faith and do it because you don’t need to continue writing the same numbers you were before – you might only need to write 50% or 60%. When it’s your own business, you have an unbelievable motivation to serve your clients even better.”
For brokers considering a move, Jacob’s advice is simple: “Take the time to step back and reflect. If you’re thinking about it, start asking the right questions now – because the longer you wait, the harder it might be.”
The future is bright
ARC Lending Network is just getting started, and the future looks promising. With a strong foundation, a dedicated team, and AFG’s support, they’re ready to take their business to new heights.
AFG SA State Manager, Briony Miglis, shared her enthusiasm: “ARC Lending Network has already proven itself as a successful brokerage. We’re thrilled to support them as they continue to grow and evolve. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when brokers take charge of their own future.”
For those dreaming of owning their own business, ARC Lending Network is proof that with the right mindset and the right support, anything is possible.
Thinking of joining us?
If you’re interested in becoming a broker with AFG, then why not download our information pack to see how we can support you on your journey.
