Suncorp Bank set a new benchmark for upfront broker commissions last week, when it announced that it would pay 80 basis points. The new rate takes the form of a 15-point bonus on top of the regular rate and is available until March next year.Suncorp made the change as part of a discounted variable rate offer on its Home Package Plus loan. The bank is also waiving package fees.Until now the biggest broker commissions were the upfront commissions of 70 basis points paid by Bankwest and Macquarie Bank.Commissions are on the rise. According to JP Morgan, major bank upfront broker commissions have increased from an average of around 50 bps to 55 bps over the past 12 months, while the average for smaller lenders has increased from an average of 55 bps to more than 60 points.Lenders have become less selective with their commissions, JP Morgan said. Previously, upfront commissions would be higher if certain criteria were met but now many of the performance hurdles have been removed.Some performance-based bonus commissions remain in place, with higher commissions paid for larger loans and lower loan-to-valuation ratios.In its financial report released in August, broker franchise group Mortgage Choice said that a number of lenders on its panel increased their commission rates over the past year. These include Bankwest, National Australia Bank, St George Bank, Suncorp Bank, Westpac and Macquarie Bank.Three of the big banks - ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac - have a similar commission structure, with base rates of 50 basis points for upfront commissions rising to maximum rates of 65 to 67 basis points if performance criteria are met.NAB has a base rate of 65 basis points, along with St George. Trail commissions are 15 basis points in the first and second years, in almost all cases, rising to 20 basis points in later years.