The national manager – sales and strategic partnerships says exciting times are ahead
After 22 years working at Westpac, Paul Bakker has joined Better Choice Home Loans as its national manager – sales and strategic partnerships. MPA spoke with Bakker about what attracted him to the role as well as his goals moving forward.
What attracted him to the role
Describing the future of lender/broker relationships as “exciting times,” Bakker says he was attracted to the position because it enabled him to combine his previous experience in sales management and relationship partnerships into one role that could provide immediate value to the Better Choice BDM team and BNK Bank.
He says he was also attracted to the opportunity to be part of a “much broader and faster-paced business,” adding its partnership with BNK Bank and the recent launch of new prime residential loans created further value in the mix.
“BNK provides the security of a bank and has given Better Choice the fire power to deliver a total financial solution to brokers’ customers.”
Previous experience and new goals
Before joining Better Choice, Bakker’s most recent role was national manager strategic partnerships at Westpac, a role where he developed and maintained lender relationships with aggregators and key mortgage brokers across Australia. Before this Bakker was state general manager NSW/ACT third party distribution for the bank.
“I am confident my experience in the industry will be vital to helping Better Choice achieve its ambitions and deliver even more value to its broker network.”
His goals for the position are threefold, the first being to build on the current momentum Better Choice offers to its broker partners while promoting the partnership and security he believes BNK can bring to the broker market.
He also aims to offer a total broker support solution by working with a group “who truly understands the broker segment.”
“This is another example of Better Choice’s commitment to the third-party channel.”
He also intends to lift the profile of Better Choice in the broker segment as well as “partner with brokers who are looking to provide their customers a total financial solution across non-conforming and prime lending.”
