Former professional golfer finds calling in mortgage broking
Daniel Valente (pictured), a finance broker at WE Mortgage Solutions, embodies the idea that a varied career path can bring unique insights and skills to any profession. From his early days as a professional golfer to his current role as a mortgage broker, Valente has demonstrated his willingness to pursue his goals with passion.
A ‘swing’ at finance
Valente’s journey into mortgage broking is anything but typical. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University, where he majored in Accounting, Finance, and Financial Planning, Valente initially veered away from the world of finance. Instead, he pursued a career in professional golf, turning pro in 2011.
For several years, he competed across the globe in Australia, Europe, the United States, and Asia. However, once his golfing career wound down, Valente began exploring new avenues.
“I’ve always had an interest in finance,” said Valente, who eventually found his calling in mortgage broking. He joined WE Mortgage Solutions two years ago and has quickly made a name for himself in the industry, drawing from his distinct background to offer clients a fresh perspective.
Embracing digital innovation
In just two years, Valente has witnessed considerable changes in the mortgage broking landscape, particularly in technology and digital innovation.
“The mortgage broking process is being streamlined, making it more efficient for us brokers and our clients,” he said. “The advent of digital signatures, online document uploads, and the normalisation of virtual meetings have transformed the industry, allowing brokers to serve clients more effectively.
Valente believes that these technological advancements are only the beginning, adding that “this will only become more and more refined as gaps in the process are improved.”
The challenge of adequate training
While Valente is happy about the industry’s technological strides, he also identifies significant challenges — particularly in the education and training of new brokers. He points out that the initial education requirements, such as the Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking, can be completed in a matter of months, which he feels is insufficient given the complexity of the role.
“New to industry brokers education is quite short,” he said. “As broking has become more complex and industry standards and regulations have increased, the initial education requirement isn’t keeping up with industry requirements.
Valente credits his success to the mentorship he received when he first entered the field, which provided him with a deeper understanding of the profession beyond what standard training could offer.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a mentor who invested a lot of time in me,” he stressed. “Without this, I’m not sure you could be a broker without starting as a junior in a larger firm.”
Navigating the complexities of broking
Valente’s experience as a broker has been both challenging and rewarding. He quickly realised that writing loans and finding the best interest rates are just small pieces of the puzzle. The real challenge lies in understanding lender policies, meeting compliance requirements, and managing client expectations, all while continuously learning about the intricacies of financial structures, tax laws, and property regulations.
“Being a broker is so much more complex than I originally thought,” he admitted. “It’s a constant learning process, and I’m always fine-tuning my approach.
“My goal was always to learn the fundamentals of being a broker, understanding and writing many different deals to see the added complexities and understanding the entire process, regardless of the type of loan.”
Advice for aspiring brokers
For those considering a career in mortgage broking, Valente offers valuable advice: “Speak to as many people with industry experience as you can.”
“Figure out if you have the capacity to be a broker on commission only or if you’d prefer starting in a larger team to learn the ropes,” he added.
Valente reiterated the importance of mentorship, suggesting that aspiring brokers should seek out mentors who can guide them through the entire process — from client acquisition to post-settlement.
“For those wanting to get into the industry, you need a mentor for two years minimum but need to align yourself to learn for much longer than that,” he said. “Very important to learn from a mentor who has the time to assist you in learning the end-to-end process.”
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