October 24, 2012
Mortgage Choice, Australia's largest independently-operated mortgage broker, has reached many exciting milestones and posted consistently high customer satisfaction results since company founders Rod Higgins and Peter Higgins launched the business in 1992.
Recognising that Australia had perhaps the most complex housing market in the world, the brothers set their sights on creating a business to help consumers negotiate the mortgage minefield. Their aim was to build a national network of professional loan advisers who local communities could trust to find them a suitable home loan and who didn't play favourites among lenders.
20 years on, Mortgage Choice is a strong, market leading home loan specialist, with a loan book of over $45 billion and the support of 380 franchises, 502 loan consultants, 93 corporate staff and 27 of Australia's top lenders on its panel. The brand is now working towards transitioning itself from a home loan specialist to a full financial services provider.
Company Co-founder, Peter Higgins said, “It is such a great accomplishment for the company to have made it to the 20 year mark with so many achievements under its belt. Rod and I are proud of what Mortgage Choice has become during this time, from its humble beginnings as a two-man show, and are excited to be part of its future growth plans.”
“We have had a great management team over the years who have helped the brand reach bigger and better milestones. With the new financial planning business at the forefront of our most recent developments, it is pleasing to know its full steam ahead.
“The only limitation for Mortgage Choice is the imagination of where this iconic brand can be in 20 years from now. We are looking forward to what the future holds and welcome the next era of success.”
The company's longest standing franchise owner, Ian Macpherson from Mortgage Choice in Cairns said, “It has been wonderful to be a part of such a diverse, ever evolving network of fellow franchisees who share a passion for seeing Australians achieve their financial goals.”
“Since joining the Mortgage Choice family in 1994, I have never looked back. The brand's strong business structures and customer focused service philosophy have helped me grow my franchise to the success that it is today and I anticipate it will also provide me with a very comfortable future.”
Entering into its third decade, the broker proposition continues to gain strength, according to current Mortgage Choice CEO Michael Russell.
“Mortgage Choice has come a long way in strengthening its position as a market leader, due to its high quality customer service ethics and commitment to a ‘Client for Life' philosophy,” Mr Russell said.
“In recent times, the company has launched a host of new initiatives. The stand outs include diversifying its service offering to incorporate risk and general insurances, transitioning to Cloud based IT solutions and raising more than $125,000 for the brand's corporate charity partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“If that's not enough, we continue to be recognised by our peers. Our most recent industry accolades including taking home the 2012 MFAA Awards' Retail Aggregator/Originator of the Year; 2012 Australian Broking Awards Major Brokerage of the Year – Franchise; 2012 Australian Broking Awards Best Training and Education; 2012 Australian Broking Awards Best Ethical/Social Responsibility Program; and being No.1 on The Adviser magazine's 2012 Top 25 Brokerages list for the fourth consecutive year.
“The level of success would not have been possible without the dedication of our stakeholders and the company's focus on the well being of our franchisees, customers, shareholders and staff while strengthening our relationships with our suppliers and lender partners.
“I speak on behalf of the Mortgage Choice group when I say we are proud of the growth of our network and the continued innovation of our business processes and systems. Now is an ideal time to reflect on the challenges we have overcome and successes we have celebrated.
“Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Mortgage Choice plans to revolutionise the financial planning industry in the same way that it did the home loan business. We have put in place the solid foundations needed to successfully transition step from a home loan specialist into the full financial services provider our customers have been asking for.”
For home loan tips, trends, facts, data and other information, visit Facebook.com/MortgageChoice or Twitter.com/MortgageChoice. Or, call 13 MORTGAGE.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Belinda Williamson
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
02 8907 0472 / 0407 416 124
belinda.williamson@mortgagechoice.com.au
Alicia Eu
BlueChip Communication
02 9018 8603 / 0412 552 004
alicia@bluechipcommunication.com.au
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