Brokers Matilda Phan and Amandip Singh talk to MPA about how their experiences have shaped their values
Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world, with close to 30% of its population born overseas, according to the 2021 Census. So it makes sense that Lendi Group, which boasts Australia’s largest retail broker network, ensures that its brokers are representative of the Australian population.
And it’s definitely succeeding: 36% of the Aussie broker network are born overseas, and many of its other brokers are second-generation Australians.
“This highlights the opportunity we provide for people from diverse backgrounds to build a successful business by partnering with us,” says Lendi Group CEO of distribution Brad Cramb.
The group offers a range of pathways to enter the industry and progress within its network.
“We’re committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community for everyone, both at enterprise level and within our group broker network,” Cramb says.
“Our customers come from all back-grounds and walks of life, and speak many languages, so it’s important that this cultural and linguistic diversity is reflected in our workforce. We actively elevate the voices and celebrate the successes of our people from diverse backgrounds.”
These voices include those of Lendi home loan specialist Matilda Phan (pictured above left) and Aussie franchise partner Amandip Singh (pictured above right).
Matilda Phan
Phan was born in Australia to Vietnamese parents. She started her career in card and fraud administration at a major bank, before joining Lendi in 2018 as an associate and then becoming a home loan specialist, achieving impressive results.
Earlier this year, Phan was part of the first Lendi cohort of brokers to be inducted into the group’s Signature program, an industry-leading performance program that identifies the top-performing 10% of the broker network and provides opportunities to further develop and elevate their results.
“My dad migrated to Australia by boat in 1990 due to war and conflict happening in Vietnam,” says Phan. “It wasn’t until 1998 that my mum was able to fly over and settle here permanently.”
Phan says she works hard every day, “knowing what my dad had to go through to make it to Australia”.
“All the stories you hear about the difficulty experienced by migrants travelling by boat are true, and then some. My parents came to Australia with absolutely nothing – no family, no English, no help – and raised three kids on their own. I wouldn’t have this life if it wasn’t for them risking everything to move to Australia.”
Phan says her parents’ experience had a huge influence on her values and work ethic.
“I hustle now so they can enjoy life the way they deserve to. Nothing gets handed to you in life; if you want to be rewarded, you’ve got to work.”
Becoming a mortgage broker was a “fluke”, Phan says. She started as an associate just to test the waters.
“I didn’t even know what an interest rate was. However, the idea of being able to help people achieve a goal really appealed to me. Turns out I had a natural aptitude for sales and was really interested in how the home loan process works, so that helped me pick things up quite quickly.”
Phan says after becoming a broker she knew she had made the right call. “The home loan process can feel overwhelming for some people, so being able to simplify things for customers and help them achieve something significant is the most rewarding feeling.”
Phan believes it’s important for people from diverse backgrounds to see themselves represented in the industry.
“Diversity in the mortgage broking industry is crucial,” she says. “As our country is made up of people from such a broad range of backgrounds, broker diversity enables us as an industry to connect with more people and better assist their unique needs.”
She says organisations should actively celebrate the wins of people from diverse backgrounds and engage with them to ensure their needs are being met. “It’s good for brokerages and aggregators to champion diversity initiatives, whether that’s through in-house programs or by celebrating causes like Harmony Day.”
Amandip Singh
A franchise partner at Aussie Melton in Melbourne, Singh spoke limited English when he arrived in Australia from India in 2006, but he has since carved out a successful career as a mortgage broker.
“I moved to Australia to pursue further study,” he says. “I quickly identified that I would be able to build a bright future for myself in this country, so I decided to stay here permanently.”
Singh studied to become an accountant but was drawn to mortgage broking after arranging his own home loan through a broker and realising it aligned with his genuine desire to help people. “People are my passion,” he says. “In accounting I was at the computer all day.”
Singh started working as a broker at Aussie Craigieburn in 2014 under the guidance of Aussie franchisee Jenny Pulford. They formed a partnership to open the Aussie Melton store in 2021, and the two are now co-franchisees at Aussie Melton. Singh also assists customers at the Craigieburn store.
“[Jenny has] guided me every step of the way and has shaped me to become a better broker and businessman,” Singh says.
He says coming from a different ethnic background has allowed him to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity.
“Having lived in two different countries at different stages of life, I am able to relate to the experiences of people from culturally diverse backgrounds and treat them with empathy.
“My background has also been a huge influence on my work ethic, by fuelling me to work tirelessly to achieve the life I envision for myself.”
Singh says it’s important for a broker to build connections and trust with their customers to help them feel at ease.
“A diverse broking industry provides an opportunity for customers to access a broker whom they feel comfortable engaging with, whether that be because they speak the same language or share similar life experiences.”
Singh says it’s an honour to support other people from migrant backgrounds to build a life in this beautiful country and achieve the dream of homeownership. “I love getting to play a part in their success story.”
Aussie workshops and events also provide a great platform to network with a diverse group of brokers and benefit from shared experiences, Singh says.
