After 32 years in the industry, this Sydney BDM from La Trobe Financial knows the two skills the best brokers always have.
After 32 years in the industry, this Sydney BDM from La Trobe Financial knows the two skills the best brokers always have.
BDM in the spotlight asks a different BDM the same seven questions – giving you a weekly insight into the lives of some of the top BDM’s in the country.
Andrew Cliffe seized the opportunity to step into the industry at a young age, moving from full-time to part-time economics while still at university to make time for his career..jpg)
BDM in the spotlight asks a different BDM the same seven questions – giving you a weekly insight into the lives of some of the top BDM’s in the country.
Andrew Cliffe seized the opportunity to step into the industry at a young age, moving from full-time to part-time economics while still at university to make time for his career.
How often do you see brokers in a week?
It can fluctuate week to week and is often dictated by my clients busy schedules, I know a broker's time is valuable and I don’t want to take more than I need if I can give them same service other ways; ever-improving technology means that email, SMS, phone and even Skype can be a more relevant method of meeting the broker's needs to discuss scenarios without impacting heavily on their time. But if a broker prefers face to face, I’m there.
What do Brokers want most from you?
What do Brokers want most from you?
With the grey hair comes experience. 32 years in the industry, 20 years of which has been directly involved with the 3rd party channel means I have plenty of experience to share with brokers. My ability to quickly assess a scenario and assist the broker to submit an “approvable deal” is something I pride myself on, along with being accessible. I respond to brokers requests on the day they make them.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Providing solutions for brokers they didn’t think were possible - this is something La Trobe Financial’s broad product suite and flexibility can provide, combine that with my experience and brokers are often surprised what can be achieved, and that is very rewarding for me.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
The best brokers are well organised, take the time to listen to their customers, and articulate those needs to lenders clearly; working in a collaborative manner to achieve the best outcome for their clients. Dealing with a number of lenders and their policies, as well as handling the expectations of their customers is not easy, which is why organisation and communication skills are so important, and that is what the best brokers possess.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Providing solutions for brokers they didn’t think were possible - this is something La Trobe Financial’s broad product suite and flexibility can provide, combine that with my experience and brokers are often surprised what can be achieved, and that is very rewarding for me.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
The best brokers are well organised, take the time to listen to their customers, and articulate those needs to lenders clearly; working in a collaborative manner to achieve the best outcome for their clients. Dealing with a number of lenders and their policies, as well as handling the expectations of their customers is not easy, which is why organisation and communication skills are so important, and that is what the best brokers possess.
Describe your ideal weekend:
Begins with watching my boys play (and hopefully win) their basketball games, then catching up with friends for dinner somewhere in Sydney (we like to try out as many different restaurants as possible); followed by a sleep-in on Sunday morning, waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and my wife's beautiful home cooking, and ending with a family dinner on Sunday night.
What's the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
Back as a 19 year old lending officer with a major bank, a guy who had just arrived from NZ with nothing but the clothes on his back and his guitar applied for a personal loan for $2,000 to buy a motorbike as he wanted to ride around Australia. When I asked him for his income details he advised me that he was a pretty good guitar player and he anticipated making plenty of money busking his way around the country and would repay the loan without any trouble. He had to start his journey on foot as I declined his application.
How do you like your steak done?
Medium rare along with a nice bottle of red. It always seems to taste better over lunch or dinner with one of my brokers following a successful loan settlement.
Andrew’s contact details:
[email protected]
Mob. 0435 829 968
Every Wednesday we’ll feature a different BDM from across Australia. If you’d like to be included, please email the editor.
Related articles:
BDM in the spotlight: Luke Hunyadi
BDM in the spotlight: Stuart Sutton
BDM in the spotlight: Darren Stratford
Begins with watching my boys play (and hopefully win) their basketball games, then catching up with friends for dinner somewhere in Sydney (we like to try out as many different restaurants as possible); followed by a sleep-in on Sunday morning, waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and my wife's beautiful home cooking, and ending with a family dinner on Sunday night.
What's the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
Back as a 19 year old lending officer with a major bank, a guy who had just arrived from NZ with nothing but the clothes on his back and his guitar applied for a personal loan for $2,000 to buy a motorbike as he wanted to ride around Australia. When I asked him for his income details he advised me that he was a pretty good guitar player and he anticipated making plenty of money busking his way around the country and would repay the loan without any trouble. He had to start his journey on foot as I declined his application.
How do you like your steak done?
Medium rare along with a nice bottle of red. It always seems to taste better over lunch or dinner with one of my brokers following a successful loan settlement.
Andrew’s contact details:
[email protected]
Mob. 0435 829 968
Every Wednesday we’ll feature a different BDM from across Australia. If you’d like to be included, please email the editor.
Related articles:
BDM in the spotlight: Luke Hunyadi
BDM in the spotlight: Stuart Sutton
BDM in the spotlight: Darren Stratford
