The strangest lending scenario this BDM encountered proved that presentation is everything
BDM in the spotlight asks a different BDM the same questions – giving you regular insights into the lives of some of the top BDMs in the country.
Name: Christopher Vouk
Years in the industry: - 30 plus years in banking and finance
Company: Teachers Mutual Bank Limited
Location: Melbourne
What did you do before entering the industry?
While I was doing an arts degree I read a book called The Money Lenders about the history of banking and international finance by Anthony Sampson. It looked like an amazing industry, so I went on to complete a banking and finance degree and started work as a graduate trainee in business banking at ANZ.
How often do you see mortgage brokers in a week?
Before lockdown in Melbourne I would spend two or three days a week visiting my brokers.
What do mortgage brokers want most from you?
They want to understand our product offering and points of difference. In addition, they want to understand our four divisions: Health Professionals Bank, Firefighters Mutual Bank, Teachers Mutual Bank and UniBank and who is eligible to access our products.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Presenting to brokers and explaining our points of difference and meeting with them face to face.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
The best brokers are good at sales and also good at presenting deals in a format that is easily understood by credit. These brokers are able to see potential issues with a deal and they explain and mitigate the issues so they do not become a problem.
What’s your ideal weekend?
Playing golf at Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania and drinking gin from the Lark Distillery in front of an open fire after the golf.
What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
When I was in a previous role, one of my brokers submitted a deal for a housing loan, the client was a “Booking Agent” for entertainers. Financials and tax returns were provided along with all the normal information required, the deal was beautifully presented and was approved. It turned out the client owned a legal brothel. It showed that presentation is everything when submitting a deal.
What's your top time-saving tip and how much time does it save you?
Get whatever you are doing right the first time so you don’t have to redo it.
What’s your favourite meal?
The Special Marinara at Leo’s Spaghetti Bar in St Kilda – it tastes like the sea and is full of prawns, mussels, calamari - it’s so good.
