Glenda Walters of Mortgage Link Otago says the best part of broking is in helping a person achieve what they thought they never could.
Glenda Walters Mortgage Link Otago says banks and mortgage advisers still need to work together more efficiently.
Years in the industry: 14 Location: Dunedin and surrounds
Why did you get into mortgage broking?
By being in the right place at the right time. I was in real estate when the broker, I then referred to, was going on leave. Her assistant had just left and she had no one to answer the phones and to keep the office open. I didn’t have any finance background, or knowledge, but I thought why not. Suffice to say I learnt a lot in a short space of time and I loved it so stayed on. Then 5 months later the opportunity came up to purchase an advisers business. This has been rewarding, both personally and professionally.
How would you sum up mortgage advisers in three words? 
Empathic professional facilitator
What advice would you give to a new mortgage adviser?
Understand the importance of the relationship you need to build with both your client and your lender partners. Without either one you do not have a business.
How would you change the industry?
Get the banks to fully understand what we do and how we can be so much more efficient if we work together. We are business partners, not competitors. I know this is changing, however we still have a way to go.
What’s the most important thing an adviser can do to develop their business?
Spend time on your business not just in your business. Set clear goals and review them regularly. Treat everyone with respect, make sure you appreciate and thank the people who work for you.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Change what you can, don’t stress about what you can’t and smile.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Fund Keytruda. Melanoma kills far too many people in this country and if there is a drug that can make a difference then we should be able to have it prescribed to us.
What has been the highlight of your career?
That’s hard to pin point as there have been many. Winning a few awards is one thing but helping that person achieve what they thought they couldn’t is probably the top one.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Short or long black… it depends on the time of day and the café. Dunedin has great coffee.
Union, league, soccer or other?
Go the Highlanders!
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Alexander Graham Bell, Steve Jobs and Henry Ford. Not sure what the conversation would be like but they have had a huge impact on our lives.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in mortgage broking, I would be…
On holiday, permanently.
Every Monday we’ll feature a different mortgage adviser from across New Zealand. If you’d like to be included, please email us here.
