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Blake Albones, a long-serving member of the mortgage industry, has passed away suddenly at the age of 45.
Mr Albones, who had worked across the aggregation, lending and fintech space over his 20-plus-year career in mortgages, passed away suddenly on Tuesday (10 October) at the age of 45.
The Melbourne-based industry leader made significant contributions to the broking industry and was known for his charismatic, caring and fun personality.
Dedication to the broker channel
Most recently the chief sales officer of Galilee, Mr Albones spent the vast majority of his finance career working with the broker channel.
After a stint as a broker and banker, he moved to the aggregator PLAN Australia (PLAN) during its infancy, where he was senior business development manager (BDM) for Victoria/Tasmania, a position he held for over seven years.
Connect2Broker managing director and executive director The Local Financial Group, Ray Hair, was chief executive of PLAN at that time.
Mr Hair remembered: “Blake joined PLAN Australia in early 2002 as the first BDM in Victoria and was only PLAN’s second BDM at the time.
“During the early days of mortgage broking and aggregation, Blake quickly established himself as a recruiter, coach, friend and/or confidant of almost everyone he developed a relationship with.
“The growth of PLAN and Blake, as a person and professional, were inextricably linked. He shone as a business developer and developed as a leader. His passion for life, drive to succeed, humour, generosity and compassion made him a natural people person. From the front desk to the boardroom, Blake made lasting friendships and contributions.
“It’s a very sad day for the PLAN family; we have lost one of own. His contribution to the early and ongoing success of PLAN is widely recognised.
“Everybody’s favourite Blake was a leader, a larrikin, a mentor and a mate. We will miss him so much.”
‘Charismatic, charming and fun, lighting up rooms with magnetic energy’
Following the NAB acquisition of PLAN, Choice and FAST and Challenger Mortgage Management (which was rebranded to Advantedge Financial Services [Advantedge] in 2009), Mr Albones was appointed as Advantedge’s national lending manager in 2009 – leading the white label mortgage lender’s national credit team.
He was then named head of broker sales (south), joining Advantedge’s leadership team in 2011.
Brett Halliwell, who worked with Mr Albones at Challenger and Advantedge (having been Advantedge general manager from 2009–20), remembered his former colleague and friend as “charismatic, charming and fun, lighting up rooms with magnetic energy” and “a quintessential Aussie”.
Mr Halliwell added that Mr Albones had a “cheeky and boisterous, brave and loyal” personality “underpinned by deep-seated values and principles”.
He said: “Blake was a genuine friend, who radiated charm and warmth … he was an authentic leader, always focused on the best interests of others, with genuine care for his colleagues and broker customers.”
Mr Halliwell reflected on Mr Albones’ compassion and care for others, remembering how he gathered his team to walk to Bourke Street and pay respects to those who lost their lives in the January 2017 car attack in Melbourne.
“It was a gesture which demonstrated his natural team orientation and inherent respect for community,” he said.
“Blake will be sorely missed by the many hundreds of people to whom he gave his loyalty, warmth and affection.”
The NAB years
In 2014, Mr Albones moved into the senior position of head of broker for Victoria/Tasmania at NAB, responsible for a team of BDMs and support staff dedicated to helping distribute NAB products through the third-party channel.
Mortgage Choice CEO and REA Financial Services CEO Anthony Waldron (who was executive general manager of NAB’s broker partnerships at that time), said that Mr Albones was “larger than life” and had a “presence” about him.
“You always knew when he entered the room,” Mr Waldron reflected.
“He had a way of connecting with people and making them feel important, and once you were connected he seemed to just have a knack of staying connected. It was one of the many reasons he was so good at what he did.
“He looked out for those he worked with. He cared about them as people, which only makes his passing even harder.
“So many of us have not only lost someone who has made our industry better – we have lost a friend.”
Steve Kane, who worked with Mr Albones at Advantedge and NAB (and held a range of senior roles including CEO of FAST and NAB’s GM of broker platforms), stated: “I have known Blake as a colleague and friend over many years. He was a guy who would help anyone at any time and underneath the tough exterior was a gentle and sensitive person.
“You will be missed, mate.”
Nicole Triandos, who had worked closely with Mr Albones for over 12 years – from the early Advantedge days to leadership teams at NAB (where she is now head of strategic partnerships and enablement for broker distribution) – said he was a loyal friend and a pillar of support for many.
She recalled how, when she first joined the industry, “he would be right next to me supporting me, and stepping in if I needed help” and suggested that he was the first port of call for many at the NAB group.
“He was there for me and everyone around him … Blake always had your back,” she said, adding he was “the epitome of camaraderie” and had the natural ability to connect with everyone.
Ms Triandos added that he was “incredibly caring, smart, funny and full of personality” and was always “the joke maker”, bringing laughter wherever he was.
“Some of my fondest memories of Blake were how much he loved his girls and his footy team, the Saints. We would banter and spray each other when our teams played,” she said.
“He was devoted to his team, clients, industry friends and family and that’s what we loved about him.
“The world has lost an incredible human being but Blake’s legacy will live on forever.”
A move to MyState Bank
After leaving NAB in 2020, Mr Albones became the CEO of RateOne Home Loans & Financial Planning before joining Tasmania-based lender MyState Bank as its head of lending distribution in 2021.
Huw Bough, the chief retail banking officer at Bank of Sydney (who worked as general manager of banking at MyState Bank between 2021 and 2023), said: “Blake was someone who was always very giving of his time and willing to assist anyone and everyone.
“He had a genuine interest in people and was a truly authentic leader and friend to so many.
“His energy, passion, and enthusiasm will be sorely missed by us all.”
Mr Albones is survived by his wife Susannah; his three daughters Evie, Asha and Georgia; and his brother Mark.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday (19 October) at Moonee Valley Racecourse at midday.
A GoFundMe page has been established to offer some financial help to the Albones family in this difficult time.
If you require bereavement support or confidential support counselling, you can access help through the following free resources:
Griefline 1300 845 745
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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