BDM in the spotlight: Andrew Costello

This week's Better Mortgage Management BDM for Melbourne has spent 23 years in the industry.

Better Mortgage Management BDM for Melbourne, Andrew Costello, has spent 23 years in the industry.

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?
As an E-BDM, I miss the opportunity to visit brokers as often I would like to. I keep in touch with them via the phone or email; however I do host workshops ever 1 – 2 months throughout Melbourne VIC and the surrounding area. I use these opportunities to engage with my brokers on the ground and get a feel for the Melbourne market (from a broker’s perspective). I also make time to visit brokers in one-one appointments.

What do brokers want most from you?
The top three things my brokers want most from me are: 1. A product with a Low rate 2. A product that matches their client’s credit profile 3. A product that offers features deemed important or essential. With our 40 plus products, from over 10 diverse lenders; I can workshop most deals to fulfil all three of these needs in either Residential or commercial lending.

What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of my job is talking to my brokers and funders to make the deal work. This aspect of my job has helped forged lasting friendships with some of my brokers & funder BDM’s; many of whom I enjoy catching up with outside of work when in Melbourne.

What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
The best brokers are the ones that work with you as you try to make their scenario work. They also have a genuine heart for their role, seeing themselves as providers of solutions and not just salesmen. Lastly, honesty and dedication to a job well done is a mark of a truly great broker in my eyes.

Describe your ideal weekend
An ideal weekend for me is one where I get to relax from the work week and spend time with my kids.

What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered?
I do receive a lot of unusual scenarios and applications but the one that sticks out the most as the best is a lady who owned a Brothel in Melbourne. She was looking out for the welfare of her clients by renovating her property to include an elevator for her less abled clientele. I have to admire her forward thinking as a way of increasing business.

How do you like your steak done?
Medium rare

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