BDM in the Spotlight: Kevin Skafte

This week's ANZ BDM for Victoria likes his steak "to be cooked blue. ANZ Blue."

ANZ BDM for Victoria, Kevin Skafte has been in the industry for a decade. "For the past 7 years, I’ve been in banking, originally in commercial roles and more recently as a residential BDM."

BDM in the spotlight asks a different BDM the same seven questions – giving you a weekly insight into the lives of some of the top BDMs in the country.
 
How often do you see brokers in a week?
I endeavour to visit 2 broker offices per day. My preference is face-to-face because we get a much greater insight into their business. It also helps build stronger relationships.
 
What do brokers want most from you?
Brokers ideally want a business partner - someone that augments their end to end proposition and adds value to the customer experience. On a practical level, brokers need me to answer their calls – promptly!
 
What is your favourite part of the job?
Overall I enjoy the diversity of the BDM role – it’s more about the relationship rather than the transaction. I see loads of opportunity through these relationships to add value in each and every interaction.
 
What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
You can’t underestimate their ability to adapt to change and readjust their business to suit the ever-changing demands of the industry. Doing the basics well, such as customer service, business development and sales are critical to being a top broker.
 
Describe your ideal weekend.
I read a lot and I like to go away with my wife and baby boy for the weekend and experience new places and people. I’m also currently perfecting the perfect south Indian fish curry.

What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
It was cash out to fund hotel on king island – interesting but fell outside our lending parameters.
 
How do you like your steak done?
I like my steak to be cooked blue. ANZ Blue.

Every Wednesday we’ll feature a different BDM from across Australia. If you’d like to be included, please email the editor.