Bondi Vet star Dr Kate Adams recounts mortgage broker incident over OnlyFans income

Bondi Vet owner and The Real Housewives of Sydney star Dr Kate Adams says a mortgage broker treated her as if she earned money only from adult content during a bid for a $3.5 million home loan. Adams, who runs Bondi Vet Hospital, said the broker told banks would not consider income from OnlyFans as valid employment, a stance she described as misogynistic and out of step with how many lenders assess self‑employment income.

Adams had placed a sizable deposit on the property and was seeking financing for the remaining balance when she cold-called the broker. The broker reportedly asked how much she intended to borrow, then told her that income from OnlyFans would not be counted by the banks. Adams said the exchange left her stunned and thinking about how women are routinely undervalued in finance, noting that the broker appeared to assume her income came from adult content rather than from her medical career and business ventures.

Adams later revealed her identity as Dr Kate Adams, explaining that she is a doctor with seven years of training and a self‑made business owner. She said she told the broker that she is not on OnlyFans and observed him squirm when confronted with her true identity and accomplishments. She stressed that the money for her loan was coming from legitimate sources and that the encounter highlighted a broader problem: some lenders still devalue women’s work.

Adams argued that banks often invalidate industries led by women, with some lenders tying financing to industry codes that may exclude earnings from adult entertainment. She noted that OnlyFans income is self‑employed and should count if properly documented on tax returns, but that industry codes can influence lending decisions. Some banks are comfortable with such income, while others are not, depending on policy and risk tolerance. The episode underscores the need for underwriters to evaluate borrowers based on creditworthiness and income stability rather than the source of income alone.

Grace Bowe, a mortgage broker with Coastal Home Loans, said she was not surprised by Adams’ account and described the broker’s behavior as emblematic of a broader, male‑dominated industry. Bowe urged brokers to advocate for clients and to work with banks to present a strong case for loan approval. She added that, while some banks have restrictions on certain industries, OnlyFans income is still self‑employed income and can count if documented on tax returns; the deciding factor is the bank’s code for the income. Some banks do not lend against certain industry codes, while others are more flexible.

The Daily Mail reported Adams’ account and commentary, helping to surface a broader conversation about lending standards, gender bias and the treatment of women with nontraditional careers in the financial sector. Advocates say ongoing reform is needed to ensure underwriting focuses on an applicant’s ability to repay rather than the nature of the income source. In Culture & Entertainment circles, Adams’ case has amplified discussions about representation, access to credit and the real-world impact of stereotypes on financial autonomy for high‑earning women. While the incident centers on a moment of friction with a broker, supporters say it highlights systemic questions about how banks categorize income and evaluate risk in a way that can disproportionately affect women.