Bringing laughter, health and happiness a top priority
BDM in the Spotlight and State Manager in the Spotlight is a regular series, giving brokers insight into the lives of some of the country’s leading relationship managers.
In the spotlight this week is ME Bank business development manager Alysha Baksh, who has been in the finance sector for 14 years, with half of that period working for ME.
Baksh says getting to know brokers, hearing their stories and learning what drives them each day is the favourite part of her job.
Her goal this year is to be her brokers' favourite BDM. “I’m all about bringing more laughter, reducing stress, and making health and happiness a top priority,” she says.
Baksh is also a firm believer in the power of technology and says artificial intelligence and digital transformation will ease workloads for brokers. At ME, digital innovation is streamlining the loan process, resulting in quicker applications and better outcomes.
Full name: Alysha Baksh
Job title: Business development manager
Company: ME Bank
Number of years in the industry: 14 years in finance, including seven years, four months, and four days with ME.
Location: Sydney, New South Wales.
What did you do before entering the industry?
Junior accountant back in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
A brief description of your role and how you support brokers?
My role is all about building and nurturing strong relationships with brokers, ensuring they get the support they need with our products and policies. I focus on understanding each broker's unique needs and offer personalised advice and training to help them make the most of what ME has to offer.
I really enjoy getting to know my broker partners and am passionate about developing new connections while strengthening existing ones. My aim is to speed up approvals, ease any concerns, and help find the best home lending solutions—all while reducing 'bank-xiety' for everyone involved.
A goal that you aim to achieve in your role this year?
To be my brokers' favourite BDM, of course! I’m all about bringing more laughter, reducing stress, and making health and happiness a top priority for all.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I love getting to know brokers, hearing their backstories, and discovering what fuels their passion every day. The most rewarding moments are when you’re so deeply engaged in a conversation that you almost forget the original question, only to be reminded of the meaningful impact you've had.
What sets successful brokers apart?
While many factors contribute to a broker’s success, one key differentiator is their ability to problem-solve.
Successful brokers know their strengths and understand their limitations, recognising when to delegate or seek support in areas like technology or time management. By managing their workload efficiently and tapping into the right resources, they create the space to prioritise their clients, offering them undivided attention and top-notch service.
What should brokers be demanding from a BDM and lender relationship?
Brokers should expect more than just answering phone calls and emails from their BDM and lender relationships – it should be a given.
What they should truly demand is clear, efficient communication and transparent processes. Competitive pricing and exceptional service are crucial, along with support in brainstorming solutions to problems.
Brokers also need access to valuable resources and training to build productive relationships and achieve the best outcomes for their clients.
Are there any industry-wide changes that you think would benefit brokers?
In this exciting era of digital transformation and AI, I’m intrigued by the opportunities unfolding for brokers.
I see firsthand the hard work brokers put into their businesses and their clients. With banks like ME undergoing a digital innovation journey, the process will become much more streamlined and efficient. This means quicker applications and better outcomes—fantastic news for both brokers and their clients.
I believe these advancements will ease the workload for brokers, giving them more time to focus on client relationships and growing their businesses. From my experiences at professional development days and conferences, I’ve learned how important it is for brokers to stay up to date with industry changes, such as how AI could improve data entry.
What do you provide to brokers that makes you valuable to them?
What makes me valuable to brokers is my commitment to being a trusted adviser rather than just another BDM.
While some might say I “over-service” clients, I see it as prioritising my brokers' best interests above simply meeting targets. I focus on building genuine relationships and ensuring that deals are made with their needs in mind, not just numbers.
Plus, I maintain strong connections with BDMs across the industry, so if a deal needs specific policy or product expertise, I'm more than happy to refer brokers to someone who can help effectively.
Describe your ideal weekend:
My ideal weekend starts with a bike ride to the beach for a refreshing swim, followed by some delicious food and a relaxing spa session. After warming up, I’d treat myself to a facemask and unwind with K-dramas or dive into a game of Call of Duty. On Sunday, I’d sleep in, tackle mowing the lawn, and maybe pick up some new plants at Bunnings. I’d enjoy a nice meal out and then settle in for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
BDM in the Spotlight and State Manager in the Spotlight features a range of relationship managers and BDMs within the mortgage and finance industry.
Among those recently featured include: Beyond Bank’s Sarah Chisholm, AFG’s Jia Jia Wong, Liberty’s Belinda Ng, SFG’s Joel Ganino, BankVic’s Paul Meilak Red Zed’s Mitch Shaw, Pepper Money’s Bettina Lumsden, Assetline Capital’s Jason Lucas, AMP Bank’s Nicole Woodruff, outsource Financial’s Sonia Diamante, Mortgage Choice’s Matt Bocking and Ben Livera, and BOQ’s Samantha Robinson.
If you know a great BDM or state manager that you would like featured in this series, please email [email protected]
