Centrepoint Alliance reports a 17% rise in normalised EBITDA for H1 FY26 and announces a strategic divestment of its lending aggregation business to Astute Financial Management, expected to boost annual EBITDA by $0.4 million from FY27.
- Normalised EBITDA rises 17% to $6.2 million in H1 FY26
- Upgraded full-year EBITDA guidance to $11.75m–$12.25m
- Divestment of lending aggregation business to Astute Financial Management
- Transaction expected to add $0.4 million annual EBITDA uplift from FY27
- Centrepoint retains lending-as-a-service and credit licence, securing recurring licence margin
Strong First Half Performance
Centrepoint Alliance Limited (ASX, CAF) has delivered a robust start to FY26, reporting an unaudited normalised EBITDA of $6.2 million for the first half; marking a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. This solid performance has prompted the company to upgrade its full-year EBITDA guidance to a range of $11.75 million to $12.25 million, reflecting sustained organic growth and operational leverage across its core financial advice, licensee, and investment services.
Strategic Divestment to Astute Financial Management
In a significant strategic move, Centrepoint has announced the divestment of its lending aggregation business to Astute Financial Management Pty Ltd. This transaction, expected to complete by 31 March 2026, formalises a long-standing cooperative relationship between the two firms. Under the agreement, Centrepoint will transfer the front-book lending aggregation operations to Astute, while retaining the back-book revenue and its lending-as-a-service capabilities, including the credit licence and salaried brokers.
Focus on Core Competencies and Recurring Revenue
The divestment aligns with Centrepoint’s strategy to sharpen its focus on licensee services, financial advice, managed accounts, and platform solutions. By shedding a non-core, sub-scale business line, Centrepoint aims to simplify operations and enhance margin stability. Importantly, the company will continue to secure 100% of the financial advice licence margin from Astute-aligned advisers operating under Centrepoint’s Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), ensuring a steady recurring revenue stream.
Benefits for Both Organisations
For Astute, acquiring Centrepoint’s front-book lending aggregation business enhances its scale and consolidates broker support and lender relationships under a specialist aggregator platform. This strategic alignment supports Astute’s growth ambitions in mortgage and financial services. Both parties emphasise that the transition will be seamless, with no disruption to advisers, brokers, or clients.
Financial Impact and Market Position
The transaction is expected to be earnings accretive for Centrepoint, delivering an estimated $0.4 million uplift to annual EBITDA from FY27. This incremental boost complements the company’s upgraded earnings guidance and reinforces its position as Australia’s second-largest licensee, supporting 588 licensed advisers as of December 2025. CEO John Shuttleworth highlighted that the deal represents a natural evolution in Centrepoint’s transformation, strengthening its recurring revenue base and operational focus.
Bottom Line?
Centrepoint’s strategic divestment signals a sharper business focus and a steadier earnings profile as it eyes sustained growth.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the divestment impact Centrepoint’s adviser retention and client experience long term?
- What are the potential regulatory hurdles that could affect the transaction’s completion?
- Could this deal prompt further consolidation among financial advice licensees in Australia?