Banks that want to push ahead with the introducer model of middlemen who refer home loans for a fee appear to be on a collision course with Commissioner Hayne after he rejected claims the programs have been exploited by a few bad apples.

Commissioner Hayne has asked whether paying spotters' fees to third parties for referring loans was "compatible with responsible lending obligations" and whether or not they need to have additional responsibilities thrust on them, after lifting the lid on lucrative bank introducer programs during the hearings and effectively putting them on notice.