Office address: 33 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Website: www.avantifinance.co.nz
Year established: 1989
Company type: financial services
Employees: 100+
Expertise: consumer finance, mortgage lending, business lending
Parent company: Avanti Group
Key people: Fred Ohlsson (group CEO), Glenn Hawkins (chairman of the board), Nish Sethi (CFO), Paul Jamieson (group treasurer), Ian Boyce (GM property), Olivia Meo-Groser (CRO), Mike Down (GM auto)
Financing status: private equity-backed
Avanti Finance is an Auckland-based non-bank lender providing tailored mortgage, investment property loans, renovation finance, and more. With over 30 years of service, the company employs over 100 people and serves nearly 100,000 customers. It has issued more than 13,000 property loans, operating through various brands, including Branded Financial Services, Bexhill Funding, and MyArt.
Avanti Finance’s journey began in 1989, starting in a small unit next to a laundromat. The company was established on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their goals with persistence. The name 'Avanti,' meaning 'go forward' in Italian, reflects their mission to help people progress, regardless of their circumstances.
Their first customer, a woman needing a car loan, marked the beginning of their commitment to everyday Kiwis. Privately owned and chaired by Glenn Hawkins, Avanti Finance champions responsible financial practices as a member of the Financial Services Federation in New Zealand. Since 2019, Avanti has operated a prime motor vehicle financing business in Australia under the BFS brand, completing their first NZ Asset-Backed Security in 2023.
Avanti Finance offers a range of products designed to meet various financial needs. Their key offerings include:
Avanti Finance offers a supportive and inclusive work environment focused on customer service. The company balances being small enough for strong personal connections with being big enough to invest in innovation and employee development. Staff enjoy a collaborative atmosphere that promotes professional growth and teamwork, with benefits such as:
Avanti Finance is dedicated to charitable initiatives and actively engages in community involvement. The company promotes employee participation in philanthropy by offering opportunities for staff to engage in various charitable activities. Each year, employees can dedicate one paid working day to a charity project of their choice, which have supported:
Avanti Finance is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and actively engages employees in this mission. The company regularly collects employee feedback to identify and implement improvements, ensuring a supportive environment. By promoting and valuing cultural diversity, Avanti Finance aims to enhance both business operations and workforce morale.
Fred Ohlsson has served as the CEO of Avanti Finance since February 2024. His work history includes being managing director at Amplifi Group, group executive and MD at ANZ Australia, and an associate at McKinsey & Company. He earned an MBA from SDA Bocconi, a BSc in managerial economics from Lund University, and received a scholarship from the University of Konstanz.
Key people assisting in operating the company include:
Avanti Finance continues to develop its services alongside expanding its branding. Under the leadership of new CEO Fred Ohlsson, the company is poised for strategic advancement. His expertise in sales, strategy, and team leadership will drive Avanti Finance’s growth strategy and market expansion.
The acquisition of GetCapital, now rebranded as Avanti Finance Business, broadens its lending capabilities and customer base. This move consolidates their brand, making it more recognisable and integrated within the company's overall strategy. By integrating these new assets and leveraging Ohlsson's expertise, Avanti Finance is well-positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.
NZMAs strengthen the industry, says event partner
He previously held frontline and risk roles at ANZ and ASB across New Zealand and the Pacific
Nominations now open for industry's prestigious event
Series aims to empower mortgage advisers
Liberty, Basecorp, Pepper Money and Avanti give message to advisers
How will Resimac's exit affect advisers?
The return of lender discretion
What judges looked for when assessing finalists
Winner and event partner recap
Top performers recognised at premier industry event