NZ Adviser hears from a major bank’s new head of third party on his plans for the broker channel this year.
BNZ has appointed Adam Ward as head of third party and he brings an extensive background in banking to the table with previous management roles in branch, mobile mortgages and sales.
Ward joins BNZ from Kiwibank, where he spent the last two and a half years setting up their first nine branches. He has also been responsible for running Westpac’s private banking business in New Zealand, including three years in Vanuatu.
BNZ director of retail and marketing Craig Herbison told NZ Adviser Ward’s experience meant he had the tools to lead the bank’s exciting growth in third party lending.
“Getting back into the broker market has been an important move that allows BNZ to connect with more New Zealanders,” Herbison said.
“We know that 25% of New Zealanders get their home loans through a broker and that percentage has been rising over recent years.
“Our innovative TotalMoney mortgage offering and BNZ’s competitive rates mean that Adam’s team has market-leading home loan products available for brokers and customers.”
Ward told NZ Adviser BNZ impressively returned to the broker market in quick time and they are seeing great volumes coming through already.
“The big thing for me is about building a partnership with the brokers in the industry, so I see our job as working alongside our brokers to help them build their business which in turn helps build our business," says Ward.
“We’re looking at our processes, how we operate, our capability and capacity within the business and also our relationships with the brokers in the market.”
He says accessibility and fast turnaround times for brokers will be a focus and also maintaining the bank’s competitive prices.
“(Brokers) want you to be efficient at what you do because that obviously impacts on their relationship with their customers, so that’s incredibly important,” says Ward.
“The main thing for me is growing the business and making it as successful as can be. We’ve got a huge opportunity in the market and we are just scratching the surface. This is about a growth business for us.”
Ward joins BNZ from Kiwibank, where he spent the last two and a half years setting up their first nine branches. He has also been responsible for running Westpac’s private banking business in New Zealand, including three years in Vanuatu.
BNZ director of retail and marketing Craig Herbison told NZ Adviser Ward’s experience meant he had the tools to lead the bank’s exciting growth in third party lending.
“Getting back into the broker market has been an important move that allows BNZ to connect with more New Zealanders,” Herbison said.
“We know that 25% of New Zealanders get their home loans through a broker and that percentage has been rising over recent years.
“Our innovative TotalMoney mortgage offering and BNZ’s competitive rates mean that Adam’s team has market-leading home loan products available for brokers and customers.”
Ward told NZ Adviser BNZ impressively returned to the broker market in quick time and they are seeing great volumes coming through already.
“The big thing for me is about building a partnership with the brokers in the industry, so I see our job as working alongside our brokers to help them build their business which in turn helps build our business," says Ward.
“We’re looking at our processes, how we operate, our capability and capacity within the business and also our relationships with the brokers in the market.”
He says accessibility and fast turnaround times for brokers will be a focus and also maintaining the bank’s competitive prices.
“(Brokers) want you to be efficient at what you do because that obviously impacts on their relationship with their customers, so that’s incredibly important,” says Ward.
“The main thing for me is growing the business and making it as successful as can be. We’ve got a huge opportunity in the market and we are just scratching the surface. This is about a growth business for us.”
