Awards
Industry Awards
MFAA Residential Finance Broker Award SA/NT
Winner 2021
Better Business Awards Best Residential Broker SA
Winner 2021
ABA Residential Broker of the Year
Winner 2020
MFAA Finance Broker Business Award – 2 to 5 Loan Writers SA
Winner 2017
Better Business Awards Best Residential Broker SA
Winner 2017 & 2016
Better Business Awards Broker of the Year SA
Winner 2016
Better Business Awards Best Residential Broker SA
Finalist 2014
AMA Broker of the Year (Franchise)
Finalist 2013
AMA Broker of the Year (Franchise)
Winner 2012 & 2011
ABA Residential Broker of the Year
Finalist 2011
MFAA Operator of the Year
Winner 2009
MFAA Mortgage Broking Business (2-5 Loan Writers)
Winner 2009
Telstra Business Woman of the Year
Finalist 2009
AMA Broker of the Year
Finalist 2009
MFAA Mortgage Broker of the Year
Finalist 2007
MFAA Young Gun of the Year
Winner 2007
National Smartline Awards
High Achievement Award
Winner 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Marketing Champion
Winner 2010, 2021
Insurance Champion Award SA/NT
Winner 2020, 2021
Franchise Owner of the Year
Finalist 2014, 2021
Commercial Award SA/NT
Finalist 2021
Franchise Owner of the Year SA/NT
Winner 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Business Growth Award SA/NT
Finalist 2020
Hall of Fame 2018
Client Care Award
Winner 2017, 2018
Lenders’ Choice Award SA/NT
Winner 2007, 2008, 2017
Business Growth Award SA/NT
Winner 2016
Marketing Champion
Finalist 2011, 2012, 2014
Lenders’ Choice Award
Finalist 2014
Lenders Choice National Award
Winner 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013
Lenders’ Choice SA/NT Award
Winner 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Client Care Award SA/NT
Finalist 2009
March 2016: Cathy Anderson named South Australian Broker of the Year
Better Business Awards Best Residential Broker
One of the most competitive categories, this award recognises South Australia’s top performing residential broker. Loan settlement and loan book performance are assessed; plus year-on-year growth, in-loan volumes and loan book. Conversion rates, submission quality and customer servicing capabilities have also been evaluated as part of this award.
Better Business Awards Broker of The Year
The South Australian Broker of the Year award recognises the individual who best represents the broking profession, based on business performance – such as loan volume, loan book growth, submission quality and customer service – as well as aptitude, attitude and overall approach to mortgage broking. The Broker of the Year is chosen from the winners of Best Residential Broker, Best Finance Broker, Best Newcomer and Best Regional Broker.
October 2012: Cathy Anderson named Australian Mortgage Awards Broker of the Year
Smartline Blackwood Franchisee Cathy Anderson has been named Franchise Broker of the Year at the Australian Mortgage Awards for the second consecutive year.
She is one of the most successful mortgage brokers in South Australia and Australia, having won a string of mortgage broking industry awards since starting her business seven years ago.
Ms Anderson said she was “honoured” by the latest award win.
“I am honoured to have won this prestigious award not only once, but twice,” she said.
“I’m passionate about helping my clients and providing them with innovative mortgage advice that they can trust, while being totally committed to providing the finest customer service and always exceeding expectations.”
Ms Anderson started her business in October 2005 with one part-time assistant. The business now has a team of nine which includes two loan writers, a trainee and a full-time financial planner.
Smartline Managing Director Chris Acret said Ms Anderson continued to show why she was a national industry leader.
“Cathy continues to keep on winning awards and is an amazing achiever,” he said.
“Once again she has taken her business to another level and continues to set very high standards for client care, referrals from clients, local area marketing and loan application quality.
“In addition, she is an active leader in Smartline nationally and is always willing to help others in the group.”
September 2012: Cathy Anderson named Smartline Franchise Owner of the Year
Smartline Blackwood franchisee Cathy Anderson has taken out the national mortgage broking group’s highest honour, Franchise Owner of the Year, for a record fifth time, further confirming her status as one of Australia’s top mortgage brokers.
The award was presented at a gala awards dinner during the recent Smartline annual conference in Hobart.
As in previous years, Ms Anderson wrote more loans than anyone nationally in Smartline in 2012.
The Franchise Owner of the Year award recognises more than just business volumes, with consideration also given to those who show strong leadership, are aligned to the Smartline brand and systems, and treat Smartline and business partners with respect.
Smartline Managing Director Chris Acret said Ms Anderson continued to show why she was a national industry leader.
“This is the fifth consecutive year that Cathy has been awarded Franchise Owner of the Year, an amazing achievement,” he said.
“Once again she has taken her business to another level and continues to set the standard for client care, referrals from clients, local area marketing and loan application quality.”
Ms Anderson has won a string of mortgage broking industry awards in recent years and in 2009 was named Operator of the Year by the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), the highest accolade in the mortgage and finance industry.
October 2011: Cathy Anderson Confirms Status as Mortgage Broking Industry Best
Cathy Anderson has further cemented her status as one of Australia’s most successful and awarded mortgage brokers after being named Franchise Broker of the Year at the Australian Mortgage Awards.
Ms Anderson’s latest award win follows on from being named Smartline’s Franchise Owner of the Year in August. She has won a string of mortgage broking industry awards since starting her business six years ago, including Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Operator of the Year 2009 – the highest accolade in the mortgage broking industry.
Ms Anderson said she was delighted that the continued hard work and dedication of her team to provide focused one-on-one service and advice to clients had again been recognised. “A complete commitment to meeting the needs of our clients, coupled with real enthusiasm for what we do and our extensive knowledge and experience, has been integral to the success of the business and has resulted in a high level of referred business,” she said.
“Our growth has also been driven by the client service philosophy that we should always exceed the expectations of every client.”
Ms Anderson started her business in October 2005 with one part-time assistant. The business now has a team of nine which includes three loan writers, a trainee and a full-time financial planner. Ms Anderson and her team submit about $13 million in loans each month, writing in excess of 600 loans annually.
“Our continued expansion means our clients now have access to a ‘one-stop shop’ of mortgage and debt, general insurance and full financial planning advice,” Ms Anderson said. “Our clients have a strong level of trust in us, which gives them the confidence to take control of their financial affairs for the benefit of themselves and their families.”
Smartline Managing Director Chris Acret said Ms Anderson continued to demonstrate all the attributes of a national industry leader. “Cathy’s success comes from her ability to continually reinvent herself and during the past year she has taken her business to another level,” he said. “She has broken her own records, successfully grown her team, integrated risk insurance into her business and continues to strengthen her powerful brand and reputation.
September 2011: Smartline Names Year’s Best Franchisees
Smartline Blackwood franchisee Cathy Anderson has taken out the national mortgage broking group’s highest honour, Franchise Owner of the Year, for a record fourth time, further confirming her status as one of Australia’s top mortgage brokers.
Ms Anderson won the prestigious award at Smartline’s recent annual conference, in Port Douglas, out of more than 210 franchisees nationally.
As in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Ms Anderson wrote more loans than anyone nationally in Smartline in 2011, in her sixth year with the group.
However, the award recognises more than just business volumes, with consideration also given to those who show strong leadership, are aligned to the Smartline brand and systems, and treat Smartline and business partners with respect.
Ms Anderson also took out the High Achievement Award.
Smartline Managing Director Chris Acret said Ms Anderson continued to demonstrate all the attributes of a national industry leader.
“This is the fourth consecutive year that Cathy has been awarded Franchise Owner of the Year and she is a very worthy winner,” Mr Acret said.
“Cathy’s success comes from her ability to continually reinvent herself and during the past year she has taken her business to another level.
“She has broken her own records, successfully grown her team, integrated risk insurance into her business and continues to strengthen her powerful brand and reputation.”
Ms Anderson has won a string of mortgage broking industry awards in recent years and in 2009 was named Operator of the Year by the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), the highest accolade in the mortgage and finance industry.
2009: SA Business Women Judged Among Nation’s Best
Nineteen of South Australia’s most outstanding business women have been judged among the country’s best, as finalists for the Telstra South Australian Business Women’s Awards, including Smartline’s Cathy Anderson.
“We have received entries of an exceptionally high standard this year and these finalists represent some truly inspirational and talented South Australian business women,” Telstra Product Management Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador Holly Kramer said.
“This year has been exceptionally challenging for Australia’s business community. South Australian business women have faced these challenges with tenacity and a positive approach across their diverse range of industries,” Ms Kramer said.
The judges commented that finalists had been selected for representing a balance of business acumen and financial success, work life balance, outstanding leadership and a commitment to being the best they can be.
Cathy Anderson is accustomed to recognition. Since starting Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers Blackwood in October 2005, Cathy and her team have earned accolades and awards for their commitment to helping more than 1800 families achieve their financial and life goals.
2009: Smartline Blackwood Crowned MFAA Operator of the Year
Leading mortgage broking business Smartline Blackwood won the prestigious Operator of the Year Award at this year’s Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Excellence Awards.
“The Operator of the Year award is the highest accolade in the mortgage and finance industry, selected from the winners of 13 categories,” said Phil Naylor, CEO of the MFAA.
Smartline’s Blackwood franchise also secured Mortgage Broking Business (2-5 Loan Writers) Award.
“This award represents the best of the best. The MFAA is proud to present this award to Smartline Blackwood for its outstanding work and dedication,” said Mr Naylor.
Established in September 2005, Smartline Blackwood’s vision is to provide clients with a service that exceeds their expectations and allow them to achieve financial security and, subsequently, their life goals and aspirations.
Over the past three years the team at Smartline Blackwood has doubled the size of their loan book and the business is now the leading Smartline franchise nationally.
Cathy Anderson, Smartline Blackwood Franchisee said: “To be recognised as a winner of our category and as Operator of the Year at this year’s MFAA Excellence Awards proves that conducting your business with integrity and ethics does not have to be at the expense of business success.”
“We pride ourselves on being an active and high profile member of the local community.
“We provide significant financial support to a range of local groups and causes, including schools, sporting clubs and community events. As a member of the Smartline group, we also donate $10 from every loan written to charity,” said Ms Anderson.
According to Ms Anderson, the company’s success can be attributed to their “more than just a mortgage broker” approach with clients.
The Smartline Blackwood team are mortgage advisers: “We take a holistic approach when working with clients – considering them as people, understanding their life, financial goals and aspirations, and providing options and solutions that meet their needs.
“While we want to be a benchmark for the industry, we want to be role models for an industry that is valued and respected by the wider community – being named a MFAA Excellence Awards finalist is a step forward to achieving that,” said Ms Anderson.
Smartline Blackwood was named Smartline’s Franchise of the Year in 2008, and also won the Smartline’s Lenders Choice Award in 2007 and 2008.
The MFAA Excellence Awards recognise mortgage and finance experts who display professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, innovation and role-model value. Winners must also show innovation and contribution, not only to the industry, but to their local communities.
2008: Cathy Anderson wins Franchise Owner of the Year
In 2008 Cathy wrote more loans than anyone in the business nationally, averaging over 30 settlements per month. She has built a very strong local profile and brand, provides her clients with exceptional service, is highly regarded by Smartline’s lender partners and is a major contributor to the Smartline team as a whole.
Cathy was also winner of Smartline’s National Lenders’ Choice Award 2008. Voted by the lenders’ loans assessors as the Smartline franchise that had the highest quality loan applications and was the most professional in their dealings.
Cathy is very dedicated to her local area and puts a lot of time into being part of the community. The success of her business is built on her level of client care and the strong local relationships she has with her business partners.
2007: Australian Mortgage Awards Young Gun of the Year
High-profile Smartline broker Cathy Anderson has achieved one of the industry’s top honours, picking up the ‘Commonwealth Bank Award for Young Gun of the Year (Franchise)’ at the 2007 Australian Mortgage Awards.
The awards recognise the excellence and achievement of individuals and companies in the Australian mortgage industry.
Cathy was chosen from a competitive pool of many brokers to win her Young Gun award, given to outstanding brokers that have been in the mortgage franchising business for less than two years.
“I recognise the importance of having a broker you can trust and aim to not just write loans, but provide clients with an ongoing relationship and financial solution for their future needs. So far this approach has been very successful, with the majority of business generated from word of mouth referrals,” said Cathy.
“I am very proud to have received the award and it provides me with the drive to continue delivering a service above and beyond clients’ expectations.”
With 15 years’ experience in finance and banking, Cathy launched her Smartline franchise in Blackwood in 2005. Already, she has built a solid reputation as one of the country’s top mortgage brokers and has received numerous accolades from clients and her peers.
As well as picking up the ‘Young Gun’ award, she was named a finalist in the Australian Mortgage Awards’ ‘Broker of the Year’ category. In 2006, she was chosen from 145 Smartline brokers as the group’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ and in the same year was a finalist for the group’s ‘High Achievement’ award.
