Cutting-edge tech solutions are key, says Kolenda

Finsure's John Kolenda on how the aggregator is going the extra mile for brokers and 2018 plans

Cutting-edge tech solutions are key, says Kolenda

Finsure's managing director John Kolenda on how the aggregator is going the extra mile for brokers and 2018 plans 

MPA: Having recently won the AMA for Aggregator of the Year (Over 500 brokers) - what sets Finsure apart from other aggregators?
John Kolenda: Finsure is set up to assist our broker partners with business-to-business solutions. We’ve successfully differentiated from other aggregators by revolutionizing our range of services to brokers to go far beyond traditional services offered by aggregators.

We work closely with our broker partners to assist in all areas of their business. This extends across business planning right through to the execution of a wide range of support mechanisms including web design, marketing collateral, PPC and SEO-lead generation, and recruitment.

Our proposition is not simply a one size fits all service. We can tailor our support services to be just as valuable to a large mature brokerage as we are to a new to industry broker. At the heart of our ethos is being big enough to deliver, and small enough to care. Our numbers regarding recruitment and retention demonstrate this is something brokers value.

MPA: What does Finsure have in store for brokers in 2018?
JK: We will continue to strengthen our complete service proposition. Brokers have been switching to Finsure to partner with an aggregator who will support them more effectively in all aspects of their business, so we will continue to invest and add value into as many areas as possible. One example of this investment is the recent addition of a Credit Coach. This resource will form an additional support service to help brokers workshop, structure and place deals.

We are also investing heavily in technology to provide brokers with additional cutting-edge solutions to identify new customers as well as retain existing customers. As technology evolves, we also want our brokers to have more advanced financial management reporting and business analytics to influence decisions, opening up new revenue opportunities. The opportunity for brokers to leverage technology solutions to maximise efficiencies and focus on ‘what you do best’ will be key for Finsure in 2018 and beyond.

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MPA: What is your biggest concern for the broking industry right now?
JK: There are many macro risks that will always pose significant threats – house price changes, legislative changes and funding markets which impact lender credit appetite. All have the potential to significantly impact on a broker’s business. We are seeing some of these starting to impact such as the recent changes to the investor market.

As an aggregator, we have placed a large amount of resources into the education and provision of alternative revenue streams as well as improving product awareness. All of these factors will be important to survive and thrive in tomorrow’s economic environment.


MPA: What was Finsure’s proudest achievement this year?
JK: Finsure’s proudest achievement was our ability to continue to evolve in a changing market to provide even more value for our brokers.

Key initiatives this year to enhance value to our members include the introduction of the broker academy to assist new to industry brokers, dedicated credit coaching for existing members to improve loan structuring as well as the roll out of our digital marketing strategy to provide website building capabilities and education on optimizing digital assets.