Tony Whelan, our Connective Home Loans BDM in VIC shares how he’s supporting brokers during COVID-19
Find out how one of our Business Development Manager’s in VIC is maintaining strong relationships with his brokers during these challenging times and how Connective Home Loans is helping brokers support their clients.
How are you managing and maintaining your relationship with your broker customers during this time?
It’s a challenging time for all but with the use of technology and with everyone’s willingness to adapt during an unforeseen time, relationships have been able to be maintained, and even flourish with increased Zoom meetings and phone calls becoming the norm. This time has given us all a little insight into each other’s lives – with children, dogs or partners at home in the background and has “humanized” the situation.
How are you supporting your broker portfolio and those who are struggling with their business during this time?
Everyone’s situation is different and understanding where and when we can help is paramount on getting through this time. Being there for support and conversations is more important now than ever. No one is in this alone and as an industry I feel that we have really pulled together and hopefully helped and encouraged those who have found the going tough. Providing additional support to those who need it is part of the role. This is a time to help and encourage one another.
What common questions are coming from your broker portfolio at the moment? And how does Connective Home Loans provide support to address some of their concerns?
With an everchanging landscape, the questions seem to be changing weekly! From hardship questions to continued changes in policies and procedures, it’s important to stay on top of things and provide advice and a shoulder to lean on when and where possible. Knowing where in Mercury these changes are for all lenders is important. CHL provides additional support via individual funder BDMs, CHL support staff and easy to understand products.
Tell us what makes Connective Home Loans different and stand out from other white label products from your point of view.
CHL provides a holistic offering covering most bases for broker businesses. The level of support it brings is second to none with differing roles within CHL, to support everything from daily loan submission processes to marketing and support at an Industry level from the top down. The desire to offer brokers a value-based distribution channel with a strong product offering is distinctive and enticing.
Why should brokers consider Connective Home Loans for their clients?
See above! A home loan for most scenarios across a range of funders with good value and fully featured products for clients. It provides a variety of alternatives.
When did you start working at Connective? What industry did you come from before joining Connective?
I have been with Connective for 12 months now. I was broking for 8 plus years previously. I have been in the industry in various roles from credit to LMI to sales and management roles for 20 plus years.
Tell us what you love most about your job.
The opportunity to engage and problem solve in daily operations of brokers businesses. The people I work with both externally and internally is a bonus!
How do you start building relationships with new brokers in your portfolio?
Understanding a broker's business from daily operations, to broker support, and client interaction has helped me invaluably in my role. Once a broker understands that I have been there and have empathy to their ultimate success, it creates greater ties. Listening and being there when needed would be my biggest tips.
What do you like to do outside of work?
What does “outside work” mean?! Getting out to see the Cats play (from what I remember!), weekends down the Peninsula and family time.