The Adviser Podcast Network

Tired of the lifestyle that came with working as a lawyer, Craig Vaughan switched career paths and became a broker, establishing his own brokerage MAP Home Loans, and later, broker platform BrokerEngine.

Craig joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to share where his fascination with processes and systems began, how he's operating his business during lockdown, and the biggest challenges he's faced throughout his broking career.

Craig also reveals:

- His three key steps in recruiting a new client - Why his brokerage decided to outsource certain tasks - How he built the BrokerEngine platform

According to Peiran Hu, senior lending adviser at Norwood-based brokerage Keylend, "If you contribute with your heart, the customer can feel it." This commitment to providing exceptional customer service has led to him being recently crowned SA/NT's Broker of the Year and Best Residential Broker at the Better Business Awards 2020. On this episode of Elite Broker, Peiran joins host Annie Kane to talk about what got him into broking, why he chose Keylend, and how he and his team are adapting to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peiran also reveals:

- The pros and cons of being part of an independent brokerage - How Keylend markets their business - Tips for brokers on managing their own teams

Four years ago, Gordon MacVicar was a sales manager for a lighting company in Sydney while his wife Larissa worked in financial services. Fast forward to now, the couple co-own Mortgage Choice Peregian Beach, and Gordon was recently named Queensland's Rising Star at the Better Business Awards 2020.

Gordon joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to share how he and Larissa divide the business' workload, what he's learned about juggling family commitments and broking, and how he managed to embed himself into a new community up in Queensland. Gordon also reveals:

- His approach to social media branding - How he's educating clients around changing government policies relating to COVID-19 - What tools he is using to engage with clients remotely

Recently named Victoria/Tasmania Rising Star at the Better Business Awards 2020, Christopher Borg takes pride in offering his clients a full suite of lending solutions, including specialist niches.

The founder and director of Borg Financial joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to discuss what gives his brokerage an edge, how the coronavirus is affecting his clients, and how he continues to deliver excellent customer service under trying times.

Christopher also reveals:

- How he has adapted his brokerage to comply with social distancing - Why being multilingual is a valuable business asset - How Australians fare in terms of their financial literacy

With businesses around the world being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading brokerage Catalyst Advisers (part of the Catalyst group) is adapting how it conducts business to best meet the changing needs of its customers.

Founder and director Adrian Lee joins host Annie Kane to share how the crisis has changed his brokerage's business focus, how they are supporting workers on the front line by providing masks to hospitals and those in need, and why "team culture" has been critical for them in the current climate.

Adrian also shares:

- Why he's fundraising for medical-grade face masks for health providers - An insight into the Catalyst hiring process - How their business offerings have developed over the years

Welshpool-based Loan Market broker Balpreet Bal, senior finance specialist at WA Prime Finance Solutions, has always recognised the importance of educating his clients around potential hardships. Given the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, which is threatening job security, preparation such as this is critical.

The recently crowned WA Broker of the Year and Best Residential Broker (The Adviser's Better Business Awards 2020) joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to share how he is navigating the COVID-19 crisis, what makes him a leading broker, and the importance of maintaining a positive workplace culture - even under social distancing regulations. Balpreet also reveals:

- The tools he is using to run his operations remotely - What has been happening in Western Australia's first home buyers sector over the last few months - How he intends to increase his number of referral partner

SA-based brokerage Rise High Financial Solutions recently won several awards at the Better Business Awards SA 2020 for its exceptional service, with its own individual brokers taking home awards on the night too.

In this episode of Elite Broker, director James Schulze joins host Annie Kane to outline the processes used by his team to establish long-term connections with clients, discuss how his passion for property investment paved a pathway into broking, and share how his business fosters an emotionally supportive workplace culture.

James also reveals:

- How the team is working remotely during the ongoing coronavirus crisis - Whether acquiring their own ACL was a cost-effective choice for his brokerage - His top three tips for new brokers starting out in the industry

This episode of In Focus, recorded live at The Adviser's recent Better Business Summit 2020, unveils what Australians think of the mortgage process and mortgage brokers.

By speaking to broker customers, direct channel customers and those who have not yet taken out a mortgage, the Consumer Access to Mortgages Report reveals exactly what borrowers want from the mortgage process - and, crucially, the channels that they think will deliver it.

Annie Kane is joined by the head of strategy at Momentum Intelligence, Michael Johnson, and director and co-founder of Momentum Media, Alex Whitlock, to unpack the statistics around mortgagor satisfaction and its implications for the mortgage broking industry.

In this episode, tune in to find out:

- The misconceptions borrowers have about mortgage broking - Why best interests duty is an opportunity for brokers - What future borrowers think about the broker channel

And plenty more!

- Access the full Consumer Access to Mortgages Report - Take part in the Third-Party Lending Report 2020 - Myths and Legends cover story

Broker and director of Vision Money Bridget MacGregor is an award-winning broker that covers clients across two different states, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Bridget joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to explain why she decided to go down the independent route, how being a Justice of the Peace adds value to her services, and her focus for the business moving forward in 2020.

Bridget also outlines:

- Why she chose AFG as her aggregator - The technology and tools she uses to stay organised - How she builds and nurtures relationships with referral partners

With almost two decades of experience in the finance and broking space, Anthony Alabakov has witnessed the evolution of the mortgage industry into the sophisticated, competitive, compliance-orientated profession that we know today.

The CEO of Victoria-based brokerage My Mortgage Freedom joins host Annie Kane on this episode of Elite Broker to share how he went from a fledging broker to finding the freedom to launch his own business, how he manages his team and his book as it expands into new markets, and the importance of fostering a positive culture within his business.

Mr Alabakov also reveals:

- How the diverse nature of his team's specialties sets his brokerage apart - Why he decided to get his own ACL - His plans to disrupt the mortgage industry in the coming year