The career path of Finsure's managing director has without doubt grown and shaped the mortgage industry beyond measure
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The career path of Finsure managing director, John Kolenda, has without doubt grown and shaped the mortgage industry beyond measure
1994 - STARTING STRONG AT AUSSIE
Before his decade-long stint at Aussie, John Kolenda started out in real estate, spending over seven years with a property developer in acquisitions and financing. After joining Aussie as a broker, he was soon named Broker of the Year in 1995 and later turned his sights to management.
“After my first year with Aussie I was their number one broker, having written 348 loans in my first 12 months.”
1996 - RISING UP THE RANKS
Kolenda progressed through managerial roles at Aussie over the next few years, from regional sales manager to state manager, while looking after lending settlements and data entry divisions. He went on to become general manager of sales and distribution in his final four years, with responsibility for the sales performance of over 700 brokers.
“[The early] years were tremendous learning experiences for senior management roles down the track.”
2004 - START-UPS AND MERGERS
Kolenda left Aussie in 2004 to jointly found broking business X-Inc, and the start-up rapidly grew to 250 brokers in its first two and a half years. “We had a challenging start but soon found success because of our recruitment strategies,” he says. In 2007, X-Inc merged with Loan Market and Kolenda became executive sales director and ultimately executive director.
“The two groups coming together made us one of the largest independent mortgage brokers in the country.”
2008 - GROWING THE BOOKS
In his executive role at Loan Market, Kolenda oversaw the growth of the company as its monthly loan book surpassed $600m and its broker network increased to 600 brokers strong. But in 2009 he felt the time was right for a change and sold off his shareholding in the Loan Market Group that September.
“While those were exciting times at Loan Market, I had other plans to pursue.”
2011 - FOUNDING FINSURE
Kolenda became co-founder and managing director of Finsure Group and the home loan brand 1300HomeLoan. He recalls that the early days were challenging in the growth phase but also incredibly rewarding as brokers were attracted to the appealing proposition of owning their own brand and being independent.
“By late 2010 I had set out on a path to revolutionise the mortgage broker market in Australia.”
2017 - BECOMING AN INDUSTRY TITAN
Six years down the track Finsure has grown into one of Australia’s largest mortgage broking and financial planning groups. It is now working with over 1,000 brokers and has a loan book in excess of $20bn. Finsure also acquired LoanKit in 2013 and launched a broker academy in 2016.
“You always look at the positives. Think big and stretch your limits and boundaries”
1994 - STARTING STRONG AT AUSSIE
Before his decade-long stint at Aussie, John Kolenda started out in real estate, spending over seven years with a property developer in acquisitions and financing. After joining Aussie as a broker, he was soon named Broker of the Year in 1995 and later turned his sights to management.
“After my first year with Aussie I was their number one broker, having written 348 loans in my first 12 months.”
1996 - RISING UP THE RANKS
Kolenda progressed through managerial roles at Aussie over the next few years, from regional sales manager to state manager, while looking after lending settlements and data entry divisions. He went on to become general manager of sales and distribution in his final four years, with responsibility for the sales performance of over 700 brokers.
“[The early] years were tremendous learning experiences for senior management roles down the track.”
2004 - START-UPS AND MERGERS
Kolenda left Aussie in 2004 to jointly found broking business X-Inc, and the start-up rapidly grew to 250 brokers in its first two and a half years. “We had a challenging start but soon found success because of our recruitment strategies,” he says. In 2007, X-Inc merged with Loan Market and Kolenda became executive sales director and ultimately executive director.
“The two groups coming together made us one of the largest independent mortgage brokers in the country.”
2008 - GROWING THE BOOKS
In his executive role at Loan Market, Kolenda oversaw the growth of the company as its monthly loan book surpassed $600m and its broker network increased to 600 brokers strong. But in 2009 he felt the time was right for a change and sold off his shareholding in the Loan Market Group that September.
“While those were exciting times at Loan Market, I had other plans to pursue.”
2011 - FOUNDING FINSURE
Kolenda became co-founder and managing director of Finsure Group and the home loan brand 1300HomeLoan. He recalls that the early days were challenging in the growth phase but also incredibly rewarding as brokers were attracted to the appealing proposition of owning their own brand and being independent.
“By late 2010 I had set out on a path to revolutionise the mortgage broker market in Australia.”
2017 - BECOMING AN INDUSTRY TITAN
Six years down the track Finsure has grown into one of Australia’s largest mortgage broking and financial planning groups. It is now working with over 1,000 brokers and has a loan book in excess of $20bn. Finsure also acquired LoanKit in 2013 and launched a broker academy in 2016.
“You always look at the positives. Think big and stretch your limits and boundaries”
