This week's Bluestone Mortgages BDM for SA and NT started out in lending at just 18 years old.
Bluestone Mortgages BDM for SA and NT, Nicole Salamaga started out in lending at just 18 years old.
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 BDMs in the country.
How often do you see brokers in a week?
I schedule 3 appointments a day on average. I find face to face interactions have more of an impact than a phone call. It’s a good opportunity to get insight on their business and to get involved in helping them lodge applications or mull over scenarios.
What do brokers want most from you?
From my experience, brokers want a BDM who is available to respond and assist with questions and helps get deals across the line for them.
What is your favourite part of the job? 
My favourite part of the job is definitely helping brokers help their clients. Because we are a specialised lender and can consider a lot of scenario’s most other lenders can’t, I hear a lot of feedback from our brokers about how grateful the client was that we could assist when they thought there were no options left.
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
I think the best brokers are the ones who view their clients as long life clients, not a one-off transaction. A good broker will recognize that their clients needs and goals will change over time and endeavor to help them along the way.
Describe your ideal weekend.
If I had just a couple of days to get away my ideal spot is Bowhill on the Murray River - relaxing, having a few drinks and getting out behind the boat for some water sports.
What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
I was once looking after the WA brokers as their BDM was on leave and a scenario came through in which a client was asking for funds to pay out a caveat lodged by the Government because they were caught growing marijuana in the house - never heard of that before or since!
How do you like your steak done?
Definitely medium-rare.
Every Wednesday we’ll feature a different BDM from across Australia. If you’d like to be included, please email the editor.
