First of three launch events
The newly established Finance & Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) marked its arrival on the mortgage scene with a launch party on Tuesday evening.
The event, held at Tommy's Champagne Parlour in Auckland, was the first of three planned launch parties aimed at introducing FAMNZ to the industry.
Leigh Hodgetts, the newly appointed country manager of FAMNZ, thanked everyone for attending the launch.
“It was fantastic to see so many faces, new and familiar, coming together to support and celebrate the start of New Zealand's newest peak industry advocacy body for finance and mortgage advisers,” she said.
“Your enthusiasm and support have set the tone for what FAMNZ aims to achieve. We are excited about the future and look forward to growing and advocating together for the success of our industry.”
Hodgetts joined the association in January after over 17 years of working in financial services roles across New Zealand and Australia.
The need for mortgage industry advocacy
The well-attended function provided a platform for FAMNZ to connect with industry professionals and showcase its goals.
The event itself proved popular among the adviser community.
Stephanie Smith, former mortgage adviser and consultant at Luminate Financial Group, said it was an “amazing launch event” and looks forward to hearing the “innovative approach FAMNZ are taking in this market”.
“So great to see some fresh advocacy for our industry,” Smith said.
Joanna James, chief development officer of FAMNZ’s Australian counterpart FBAA, agreed saying FAMNZ is “clearly catering to a much-needed presence in New Zealand”.
FAMNZ open for membership
Having opened for membership less than a month ago, Peter White, managing director of FAMNZ, anticipates a surge in membership applications following an overwhelming response to their launch.
Already, industry veterans like Jeff Royle have shown interest.
“We are NZ101 – among the first to sign up,” said Jeff Royle. “Leigh has an amazing history in the industry, and I look forward to FAMNZ advocating solely for us mortgage advisers.”
One of its core tenets to FAMNZ’s mission is recognising the current overlap the mortgage industry has with other financial professions.
“New Zealand mortgage advisers have suffered for a long time through public confusion of the many different adviser roles,” he recently said. “It’s time to let the nation know who mortgage advisers are, what we do and how we can help them.”
White acknowledges that many borrowers already utilise and trust mortgage advisors, but there's a gap in awareness that FAMNZ intends to bridge.
“Mortgage advisers are qualified in their field whereas other type of advisers are not skilled or knowledgeable in the specific area of lending,” White said.
Taking FAMNZ across the country, the association’s next launch event is in Wellington May 16. This is followed by the final event in Christchurch on May 30.
