Finance & Coffee Talk with Dien
82 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago -Discussing all things finance lending related in Australia. Specifically aimed at the 3rd Party Lending (broker) space. Mortgages, business, asset, development funding and a myriad of other associated topics will be discussed....over a coffee.
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Episodes
Steve Matsoukas: From Food to Finance
November 24, 2023 05:18 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MBIn our conversation with Steve Matsoukas, a Legend in the Finance Industry, we delve into his remarkable journey. After running a successful food business alongside his brother for 16 years, Steve decided that the cold working environment was enough, so he decided to transitioned into the broker industry. His initial foray in 2002 with Aussie as a salaried broker laid the foundation, but it was after venturing out independently post his entrepreneurial success that he truly made his mark. St...
Gateway Bank: Green loans for the future
October 31, 2023 01:23 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this podcast, I interview Ronald Pringle and Arun Gupta from Gateway Bank about their Green Pocket and Planet initiative and their commercial lending offering. Gateway Bank was the one of the first to offer a green home loan program in Australia, which rewards customers for investing in environmentally friendly, energy efficient housing. With the cost of utilities across the country jumping by 30% in recent months, a green home loan could save customers a significant amount of money on t...
Peter White: FBAA Milestones, clawback policies and events to look out for!
July 13, 2023 23:51 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this episode of the podcast, Peter White from the FBAA discusses the organization's recent milestones, including their 30th anniversary and reaching over 11,000 members. They also discuss the CBA's recent change in clawback policy and whether other lenders will follow suit. Finally, they talk about the FBAA's involvement in International Broker Forum, which will be held in Las Vegas for the first time this year. Lets also not forget their own annual National Conference on the GC at the en...
Abraham Mathew: A New Era of Speed and Efficiency at Suncorp Bank
July 06, 2023 07:55 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBIn this episode, we sat down with Abraham Mathew from Suncorp Bank to discuss their image turnaround with F&C Members. In the past, Suncorp Bank had a reputation for slow turnaround times. This lead to frustrations and a few memes on here. However, that has changed recently. Thanks to their new Suncorp Bank Sunlight offering, applications are now processed "at lightning speed" - if they fit the mould. Quick turnaround times make brokers look great in the eyes of their clients, and it has ...
Anja Pannek - 9 months into the role as CEO of the MFAA
June 29, 2023 10:48 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBIn today's episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with the CEO of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), Anja Pannek. With her unique insights, Anja shared her observations on the industry and the association since taking the seat as CEO nine months ago. We began by discussing the transformative power of Anja's role as CEO and the valuable observations she has made within the industry. From emerging trends to shifting dynamics, Anja provided a captivating overview of...
Mandeep Sodhi - A conversation on Data Security, the rise of Chat GPT and everything in between that can help brokers at Effi
June 28, 2023 02:43 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this interview, we catch up with Mandeep Sodhi, CEO of Effi, to learn about their recent developments since our last conversation 12 months ago. During this time, Effi has achieved SOC 2 certification, which means that more aggregators should, in theory, accept them as part of their ecosystem for brokers to utilize. SOC 2 places greater emphasis on how security principles are implemented to address relevant risks, particularly in relation to the services provided to customers. We also de...
Anny Le Wilson: Digital Leads and the challenges that brokers face.
June 26, 2023 01:03 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBIn this interview, we speak with Anny Le Wilson, the Chief Revenue Officer of Joust, to discuss the topic of digital leads. We begin the conversation by exploring what Joust has brought to the market over the past two years. Unfortunately, their offerings were often misunderstood by the market, with the focus primarily on their cheapest option rather than their superior "exclusive Leads" product which was more expensive. The adage "you get what you paid for" comes to mind here. The cheaper ...
Ryan Gair - June 2023 - A challenging year so far.
June 16, 2023 03:53 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBIn our recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Gair, the CEO of Rate Money, about the market performance in the first half of the year. Despite facing some significant challenges, Rate Money has not only managed to weather the storm but also expand its franchise operations. Which highlights that there are opportunities if you look at it. Not only is the Fixed Rates producing opportunities for brokers in terms of refinancing business, but the changing landscape of ho...
Guy Callaghan: From Olympic Swimmer to CEO of a Fintech
July 22, 2021 03:30 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBIn case you didnt know, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are on. So it is timely we speak to someone who has been there and done that. They train very hard to be at the top of their chosen sport to represent their country at the ultimate sporting event. The level of discipline and determination is quiet frankly out of this world. Do these skills translate well after their days as an Olympian have past? This week we speak to Guy Callaghan about his story. Guy represented New Zealand in the sport of S...
Talking Finance: Dealing with Lockdown, WFH, Kids and Mental Toughness
July 15, 2021 08:38 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn this Podcast we chat to Victoria Coster (CEO Credit Fix Solutions) about what trends she has seen, given lockdown meant a lot of people have lost their jobs/unable to work. All of this affected their debt repayment obligations and hence their credit reports. However before we get into that, we start the conversation talking as working parents and about the complexities of WFH. Dealing with children, their mental health and of course screen time whilst running a business. The mental toug...
Innovation in Banking - Gateway Bank
July 08, 2021 02:53 - 21 minutes - 48.9 MBThe word "innovation" is thrown about in media releases by a multitude of businesses including banks. But just how much innovation have you really seen? Since Gateway Bank was founded in 1955 with just one employee and a briefcase, they’ve always been pushing themselves to do business in the right way by being innovative. Today, we’ve got Zeb Drummond and Arun Gupta from Gateway to clue us in on a range of innovations at Gateway and their accelerated commitment to their customer’s pockets a...
Glenn Gibson: Because its Friday
June 21, 2021 11:54 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIt's not often we have someone so senior in a multinational Bank give a candid story about their journey in Finance. In this Podcast, we speak to Glenn Gibson (Acting Head of Retail Bank at ING Australia). We find out how he almost didn't have a career in Banking at all because he wanted to go on a school holiday over the Summer with his parents before he started work when he finished high school. He didnt want to work straight away! Starting out as a Batch Clerk for the NAB and then rising...
Joel Dieu: Following a dream and his heart.
June 17, 2021 06:09 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBIts not often we have come across someone who was a former credit analyst (assessor) who took a leap of faith to the broker side. In this Podcast, we chat with Joel Dieu about what prompted his move from SA to VIC - it was for love. Why he eventually came to realise that his career needed a little reset after working for some of the biggest lenders in Asset Finance. His move to become a Broker. His overwhelming deep aspiration to be more involved with helping customers; the enjoyment of th...
Anita Marshall: Here's to 17 crazy years in Brokering
May 28, 2021 06:34 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MB17 years ago Anita Marshall, started her mortgage broking business as a one woman show in her spare bedroom to try and make a better life for her son as a single mum. She was told by an uncle (who was a broker himself at the time) that she was crazy and not to do it. However she was determined and it turned out to be the best decision she ever made. Starting out in the travel industry and then for a credit union and struggling to make ends meet. The broking industry appealed to her as it w...
Luke Phan: Head of Product for Bluestone
May 17, 2021 02:03 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBA little chat with Luke Phan, Bluestone's Head of Product. Here at Finance and Coffee we love chatting to folks about their job and it's not very often that we get to sit down with a Head of Product. It’s a pretty cool job title but it’s one Luke Phan gets to live out everyday. Luke’s interest in finance started at a young age when he was helping his parents to run their family business. He was hooked and became passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals. In this episode, ...
Bluestone : Doing the simple things well
April 05, 2021 22:53 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBIn this episode, we picked the brains of James Angus, Chief Customer Officer from Bluestone, finding inspiration around the success of this fast-growing lender, just for you. James offers us an inside look at the changes made and the principle in which Bluestone sets their values around to do things that a lender like them has not done before. That brings us to over 30 policy changes in the past year that make the entire community sit up and take notice. They ticked those off and even built ...
Murray Cowan: From the Farm to the Finance World
March 29, 2021 22:47 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBGrowing up on the family farm (in which his brother now runs) to working for the largest bank in the world (at the time), to running his own Mortgage Management Company. This is one human's journey into finance that you definately want to listen to. In this Podcast, Dien speaks to Murray Cowan about the ups and downs of the industry he has been in for over 30 years. Starting a Mortgage Management Business when it was sexy to do so, to surviving the GFC and now Thriving! But, by no means ...
Petra Novakova: From Czech Republic to Bondi!
March 17, 2021 01:10 - 19 minutes - 18.4 MBVenturing out on your own is super-scary for many people, but it’s a decision that’s paid off for Czech-born back office solution expert Petra Novakova. We’re chuffed to have Petra in the hot seat to tell us how she built her kick-ass business Koruna Assist from the ground up. Long story short, Petra came from the Czech Republic and has spent her life living in England, Asia and Australia. Having started off working in offices for several finance institutions, Petra felt something was missin...
Petra Novacova: From Czech Republic to Bondi!
March 17, 2021 01:10 - 19 minutes - 18.4 MBVenturing out on your own is super-scary for many people, but it’s a decision that’s paid off for Czech-born back office solution expert Petra Novakova. We’re chuffed to have Petra in the hot seat to tell us how she built her kick-ass business Koruna Assist from the ground up. Long story short, Petra came from the Czech Republic and has spent her life living in England, Asia and Australia. Having started off working in offices for several finance institutions, Petra felt something was missin...
Marco Symons: Falling into Commercial Lending
March 17, 2021 00:32 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBHow often does someone on the Credit/Risk side make the move to Sales? The mentality is totally different. Whilst one waits to have a file passed to them to check if all things meet the requirements so as not to "harm" the lender they work for, the other is constantly out there hunting for new business, facing not only rejection but the pressure of sales targets. Dealing with credit and customers at the same time. In this Podcast, Dien speaks to Marco Symons about his accidental journey i...
Gateway Bank: An Introduction
March 03, 2021 00:49 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWhere did bankers used to do their own banking? why it was with Gateway Bank! In this Podcast, Dien speaks to Arun Gupter (Manager Third Party Sales) and Zeb Drummond (Head of Customer Operations) about the Bank that has a Big Heart! Founded in 1955, Gateway Bank is now one of Australia’s leading customer-owned banks. As a mutual bank they put their members/customers first. Profits are reinvested to benefit their members rather than shareholder return. Gateway Bank have a long track recor...
Aaron Milburn: The Kiwi Banker
February 16, 2021 05:53 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this episode, Dien chats with Aaron Milburn - General Manager Mortgages and Commercial Lending for Pepper Money. He is a massive fan of the broking industry and genuinely believes brokers are the people who can get their customers in the best possible place financially in life. Throughout his 18 years in finance services, Aaron has always been seeking every opportunity to learn and combine his passion for helping others with his professional career. His journey into finance begins with on...
Ryan Gair - Seeing Opportunities and Taking It!
February 02, 2021 06:44 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBIn this podcast episode, Dien had a fun chat with Ryan Gair, the brilliant mind behind Rate Money – Australia’s leading financial service provider for the self-employed. Ryan has been in the finance industry for 18 years. On day one, he got out there cold-calling and door-knocking to drive the business. His resilience and willingness to learn led him to where he is today with the success of Rate Money. In this uncertain climate, many of us realised that the reality we have invested so heavi...
Dalibor Ivkovic: From Refugee to a Powerhouse in the FinTech Space in Australia
January 14, 2021 01:45 - 38 minutes - 87.4 MBSalestrekker is the name of a CRM platform that all smaller aggregators who don't have their own proprietary software use. A few brokers and large brokerages who are with larger aggregators also use Salestrekker in addition to their aggregator software. Why is this the case? Ease of use and intuitive UX could be key. But who is behind Salestrekker? and what is the story behind why it came to exist? In this episode, Dien talks to Dalibor Ivkovic about his journey from refugee to a Powerhouse...
Bluestone: Insights behind the philosophy to "earn the right to do business" with brokers by building better relationships and training
December 07, 2020 22:12 - 36 minutes - 82.6 MBIn this podcast, Dien Le and James Angus (Bluestone's Chief Customer Officer) have a candid chat about what the non-bank lender is doing to win broker trust by treating them with respect and installing the belief that when they put business via Bluestone, they are given the respect that they deserve by having quick service with great BDM support. Building on that winning formula is also a game plan to take Bluestone to another level in 2021 by implementing new platforms that will allow new p...
Bluestone: Prime Lending, it's not just about the Rate
November 02, 2020 08:03 - 32 minutes - 30 MBIn this Podcast, Dien Le and James Angus (Bluestone Mortgages Chief Customer Officer) have a candid chat about the anniversary of Bluestone's launch of their Prime Product. More often than not, Brokers do not associate Prime Lending with Bluestone. Topics discussed are: How has it been received, what challenges have they had and most importantly, what it means to have Prime offering and the Pillars Bluestone have in place to support it. Not just a rate, but an experience - People First Cu...
Friday Wrap 30th October 2020
October 30, 2020 01:21 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB-News for the week that was in Finance- Covid News -Great news for VIC -NSW not so much -Covid Supplement to extend well into 2021? ATO $120m clawed back Jobkeeper Payments from ineligible clients ABS data on consumer prices Inflation has increased 1.6% Carbon Neutral Targets Coal and natural gas purchases in Australia in danger as overseas governments adopt this stance. ANZ has also announced a carbon neutral plan No assistance to finance coal and thermal plants No longer ...
Friday Wrap 23rd October 2020
October 23, 2020 06:47 - 9 minutes - 8.62 MBNews for the week that was in Finance. Topics: ABS release of data on how the market is performing: Retail Trading - Slipped Backwards 1.5% *However, figures are better than Sept 2019 ->Online Spending? AustPost: expect $4 billion to be spent from now till Xmas - 25% increase in Online Shopping WISR Result for first QTR of 2021 - Record 47% spike in lending Is this a sign of debt consolidation or spending? Payroll figures for people employed under 20 years of age has risen 6.1% since...
Friday Wrap 16th October 2020
October 16, 2020 03:28 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBNews for the week that was in Finance. Topics: *NZ Election and the Trans-Tasman Travel bubble. *RBA - and the likelihood of a rate cut before Christmas *Bluestone's move to go to 90% lend in Metro Melbourne and Sydney with No LMI / Risk Fee and a fantastic rate. *Property prices and Auction Clearance rates. and more!
Ephram Stephenson: Building a business from scratch and then doing it all again.
October 15, 2020 01:04 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBImagine going to another country where you don’t have any safety net - no parents - so social security.....and after starting a role for just 2 weeks, being ballsy enough to say to the boss you can do the sales role on commission only income... because you can do it better than the sales guys... and smashing it! The Level of self belief and determination would be hard to comprehend. Ephram did just that when he started out in a small recruitment business all those years ago. Later settling up...
Bluestone: insights into the post-COVID-19 lending environment EP1
October 14, 2020 03:38 - 46 minutes - 108 MBIn this Podcast, Dien Le and James Angus (Bluestone Mortgages Chief Customer Officer) had a candid chat about the Federal Budget, the easing of Responsible Lending and how that may have an impact on broker business. Also discussed was an insightful look into the operations of how Bluestone worked with brokers in the current market, FY20 results, the impact of COVID-19, and Bluestone’s roadmap for the next 12 months and beyond. Some exciting products in development and one coming to the mark...
Ciaran Burke: Swooping in to help SMEs
October 13, 2020 02:25 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBSMEs are the engine room of Australia, we hear this time and time again. SMEs employ around 4.8 million Australians (44 per cent) and are a major GDP contributor (57 percent). Employment growth in small businesses accounted for approximately 60 per cent of total employment growth in the private sector between 2013-2018. The pandemic has had devastating impact on small businesses in Australia, especially in the State of Victoria. However, if and when we are looking at reopening the economy,...
Friday Wrap 9th October 2020: The 2020 Budget talk
October 09, 2020 04:30 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBThis week's episode is dedicated to the Federal Budget that was delivered earlier this week. Topics of discussion by Dien Le and Michael Tran are: Personal income tax Immediate personal tax relief for individuals Exempting granny flat arrangements from capital gains tax Business owners Extension of the provision allowing small business to instantly write-off asset purchases Temporary loss carry-back to support cash flow Covid-19 response package JobMaker hiring credit Superannuati...
Mandeep Sodhi: One of the top 100 coolest people in Australian tech
October 09, 2020 04:11 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBMany in the Third Party Finance Broker space have heard of HashChing, but not many would know about it's visionary Founder - Mandeep Sodhi. Even Less would know about the cheeky story of how he went behind his parents back to prepare for his journey to Australia. Having now exited HashChing and starting a new business called Effi (or short for Efficiency) Technologies, Dien Le interviews Mandeep about his journey from his cheeky start in getting to Australia, to making a seismic impact in ...
Friday Wrap 2nd October 2020
October 02, 2020 05:58 - 14 minutes - 13 MBNews for the week that was in Finance. *Rate Drop? *Property Prices to go up? and more! Special thanks to Co-Host Michael Tran
Tracy Field: One of the few Women Leaders in Banking
October 01, 2020 02:33 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBIn Grade 11, Tracy was bored and was seen filling out an application to join the ANZ Bank, with a little help (she later found out) she was successful in landing her first bank role. Little did she know that her Journey, in and out of Finance, would lead her to being one of the few Women Leaders in Banking. Currently Head of Third Party with Auswide Bank, Dien chats to Tracy in this episode, about her amazing journey. The lessons she learnt, how resilient, determined she has always been and...
Friday Wrap 25th September 2020
September 25, 2020 08:55 - 20 minutes - 19.3 MBNews for the week that was in Finance. And what a week it has been! *Responsible Lending Laws to be Axed to make borrowing money easier *Westpac agree to proposed $1.3bn penalty for breaching AML / CTF rules *The final Regulations and Explanatory Statement that was released on Monday and more!
James Angus: Rugby Player to Chief Customer Officer
September 23, 2020 04:43 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBWith over twenty years of experience in financial services, James Angus has seen it all. Currently with Bluestone as their Chief Customer Officer, many will also recall him as the former Co-Head of Personal Banking Intermediaries at Macquarie. While at Macquarie, he was a key figure in rebuilding and positioning the Macquarie residential mortgage brand with brokers and driving book growth through that channel. However, not many knew that he wasn't always at Macquarie, and that he had a stint...
Friday Wrap 18th September 2020
September 18, 2020 09:47 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBNews for the week that was in Finance!
Victoria Coster: From Zero to CEO
September 17, 2020 07:58 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MBFrom a struggling single mother with no business skills living in a housing commission unit, turned award-winning business woman, Dien speaks to the lovely Victoria Coster about her journey going from "From Zero to CEO". Why do we place a stigma on people living in Housing Commission Flats? How does one overcome that mindset and succeed? The fundamentals with life in general revolve around finance and the ability to access loans. Underpinning this is the credit report and how critical i...
Tracie Palmer: Journey from Branch Teller to Mentor and creating a Legacy
September 12, 2020 06:12 - 23 minutes - 22.1 MBWith over 28 years experience in the Finance Industry, winning multiple national awards both as Broker of the Year and as a Mentor of the Year, you could say Tracie has seen it all. Working her way up from a Junior Bank Teller to the Youngest Female Branch Manager with Suncorp, hard work and determination was definitely something she had in spades. Taking the leap away from Corporate to became a Finance Broker and work for herself, Tracie's self-confidence and determination saw her excel ...
Friday Wrap 11th September 2020
September 11, 2020 02:55 - 16 minutes - 36.7 MBNews for the week that was in Finance - In this Episode, we talk about: *Buy Now Pay Later *Interest Free Credit Cards *The State of the Economy *Boarder Restrictions: What is the cost of these restrictions? *Jobkeeper: some businesses receiving it at the same time as paying exec bonuses *WA Rental laws *Forcasts re drop in Property Prices *Wage Growth vs Housing Prices
Kristy Bartlett: The Business Builder
September 09, 2020 02:26 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBNo stranger to the pain and pleasures of growing a successful business, Dien speaks to Kristy about how she fell into the Real Estate industry and then into the Finance Brokering Industry. Most brokers in the industry in Victoria know about her Super Broker husband, Josh, but for those outside the Loan Market circle, not many know about Kristy or what she did. From building her own Top 10 Real Estate business at age 24 to building teams, Kristy has done it all. Using smarts as well as the ...
Paul Smith: A Canadian in Australia
September 08, 2020 08:49 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBIn this episode, Dien speaks to Paul Smith about his accidental journey into the Finance industry in Australia and how he came to find himself specialising in the field of Digital Marketing for Finance Brokers. The story begins with Paul coming to Australia with his dad on a two week holiday many years ago, that trip sows the seeds for his adventure Down Under a few years later. The podcast ends with news about his father passing and the sad realities of being unable to fly back home due to...
Friday Wrap 4th September 2020
September 04, 2020 00:58 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBNews for the Week that was in Finance. Australia Officially in a Recession! Guest: Michael Tran
Friday Wrap 28th Aug 2020
August 28, 2020 06:46 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBNews for the Week that was in Finance. Guest: Michael Tran
Bradley Ward: A Kiwi's accidental journey into the Property Industry
August 27, 2020 01:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBOverseas Experience (OE) is a New Zealand term for an extended overseas working period or holiday. Sometimes referred to as "The big OE" in reference to the extended duration of the travel - typically at least one year, and often extended far longer. For many Kiwis, the first destination is Australia. Bradley Ward didn't stray far from that trend. Finding himself in St Kilda, he started out with jobs Backpackers tended to get when first coming to these shores. One such role was that of a...
Friday Wrap 20th Aug 2020
August 21, 2020 06:06 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBNews for the Week that was in Finance Guest: Michael Tran
Dan Brown: Surviving the first 2 years
August 18, 2020 05:52 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBFor those in the Finance Brokering World, you would know that the last 2 years (up to Aug 2020) has been one of the most tumultuous times that the industry has had to endure. Funnily enough, Dan Brown decided to take a leap of faith and give it a go as a Broker during this very period. As at time of recording, a milestone was reached, TWO Years as a Broker. What a fantastic milestone it was indeed considering the usual head winds any new business would naturally face in their first 2 years, ...
Friday Wrap 14th Aug 2020
August 14, 2020 10:19 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBFinance Related News as it stands for the week ending 07 August 2020 Co Host: Michael Tran