This week's Aussie Home Loans BDM for Victoria has two decades of experience in the industry, with 12 of those as a broker .
Aussie Home Loans BDM for Victoria, Aysun (Ays) Portoglou has been a broker and a lender and became a BDM after having a family.
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.
How often do you see brokers in a week?
Generally I see brokers daily. I aim to sit in the state office at least two days a week to see the Mobile Brokers that work from there and then spend the rest of the week visiting Aussie stores or mobile brokers that don’t come into the office. I think a random phone call every now and then also helps to let brokers know you are always just a phone call away even if I can’t see them as regularly as I’d like.
What do brokers want most from you?
Generally it’s confidence, reliability and trust… and of course, doing the basics really well. Being helpful and not overcomplicating things. My brokers’ tell me that they want to know that I am in their corner, that I’ll fight for them every time, that I answer the phone when they ring or that I’ll get back to them as soon as possible. I want my brokers to know that I am on the same team as them, it’s not me against them - we are all fighting for the same cause which is the right outcomes for our customers.
What is your favourite part of the job?
It’s definitely helping people and watching brokers grow from rookies into successful business people in their own right. This job is about relationship building, it’s fundamentally about caring – about the business, the broker, the customer. I love that this is the only job where you make dreams come true. I always tell my brokers that no one wants a mortgage; they want an extension at the back of the house for the child they are finally having, they want to travel overseas to tick things off their bucket list, they want to send their kids to a school that will give them the start in life they never had… It’s so much more than writing a loan, it’s helping them realise their dreams. As a broker you are just as integral to a customers’ life as an accountant is… and then some.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
I think the best brokers truly listen to their customers and give them what’s best for them, someone who stays in regular contact and who follows up right through the entire process and beyond... The best brokers are committed to constantly learning and keeping up to date with new information. This industry changes so often so the best brokers that I see read their emails, attend workshops and generally make a big effort to stay knowledgeable and at the top of their game.
Describe your ideal weekend?
Definitely hanging out with the family!! I don’t get to see them much mid-week so I make sure that the weekends count. I love cooking and having unexpected friends/family/neighbours pop in for a drink and a chat.
What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
Hmmmm, can’t say I can think of one at the moment. Either I haven’t had one, or my memory is not serving me well… To be truthful, nothing surprises me, I’ve seen so many weird and wonderful things over the last 20 years, but what seems strange to my broker or their customer may be a perfectly normal scenario for me.
How do you like your steak done?
From Meat Wine and Co please. Medium rare with a side of blue cheese sauce and mushroom sauce, fries and some crunchy greens. Can I have a glass of red with it too please??
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: Adrian Lee
BDM in the spotlight: Janita De Paoli
BDM in the spotlight: Vanessa Hyde
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.
How often do you see brokers in a week?
Generally I see brokers daily. I aim to sit in the state office at least two days a week to see the Mobile Brokers that work from there and then spend the rest of the week visiting Aussie stores or mobile brokers that don’t come into the office. I think a random phone call every now and then also helps to let brokers know you are always just a phone call away even if I can’t see them as regularly as I’d like.
What do brokers want most from you?
Generally it’s confidence, reliability and trust… and of course, doing the basics really well. Being helpful and not overcomplicating things. My brokers’ tell me that they want to know that I am in their corner, that I’ll fight for them every time, that I answer the phone when they ring or that I’ll get back to them as soon as possible. I want my brokers to know that I am on the same team as them, it’s not me against them - we are all fighting for the same cause which is the right outcomes for our customers.
What is your favourite part of the job?
It’s definitely helping people and watching brokers grow from rookies into successful business people in their own right. This job is about relationship building, it’s fundamentally about caring – about the business, the broker, the customer. I love that this is the only job where you make dreams come true. I always tell my brokers that no one wants a mortgage; they want an extension at the back of the house for the child they are finally having, they want to travel overseas to tick things off their bucket list, they want to send their kids to a school that will give them the start in life they never had… It’s so much more than writing a loan, it’s helping them realise their dreams. As a broker you are just as integral to a customers’ life as an accountant is… and then some.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
I think the best brokers truly listen to their customers and give them what’s best for them, someone who stays in regular contact and who follows up right through the entire process and beyond... The best brokers are committed to constantly learning and keeping up to date with new information. This industry changes so often so the best brokers that I see read their emails, attend workshops and generally make a big effort to stay knowledgeable and at the top of their game.
Describe your ideal weekend?
Definitely hanging out with the family!! I don’t get to see them much mid-week so I make sure that the weekends count. I love cooking and having unexpected friends/family/neighbours pop in for a drink and a chat.
What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
Hmmmm, can’t say I can think of one at the moment. Either I haven’t had one, or my memory is not serving me well… To be truthful, nothing surprises me, I’ve seen so many weird and wonderful things over the last 20 years, but what seems strange to my broker or their customer may be a perfectly normal scenario for me.
How do you like your steak done?
From Meat Wine and Co please. Medium rare with a side of blue cheese sauce and mushroom sauce, fries and some crunchy greens. Can I have a glass of red with it too please??
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: Adrian Lee
BDM in the spotlight: Janita De Paoli
BDM in the spotlight: Vanessa Hyde
