Expanding horizons at Liberty

While borrower situations are forever changing, diversifying can help brokers remain pivotal. By ensuring they have multiple solutions to help borrowers, brokers can continue to grow their businesses and importantly, support customers in different ways.

Since day one, Liberty’s broad offering has been built with the broker in mind

Since day one, Liberty’s broad offering has been built with the broker in mind. This includes a range of solutions to help borrowers with home, car, business, commercial, personal, SMSF as well as insurance needs.

The current market has plenty to offer brokers when it comes to residential, commercial, business and motor lending – and Liberty is poised to provide support.

Residential

From self-employed customers looking for low doc options to those requiring a debt consolidation solution to put them in a better position – Liberty is ready to support home loan customers in search of a lender to consider their individual circumstances.

Group manager – residential, Caesar Ibrahim, says Liberty is proud to cater to those who may not be able or simply prefer not to have to meet typical loan application requirements.

Ibrahim says the number of first-time brokers working with Liberty has risen in recent months, and their feedback is overwhelmingly positive. It’s not uncommon for the Liberty residential team to hear brokers remark “I had almost given up” and “Why can’t all lenders be so helpful?”

Brokers have direct access to the Liberty credit and settlements teams and an online application system showing which team member is working on a file at any time.

For brokers looking to grow their business, Ibrahim suggests expanding your referral sources to accountants, conveyancers, lawyers and other brokers who may shy away from complex deals. Great opportunities could lie in making low doc and custom lending your personal brand.

Top tip: “Don’t say no to a client until you speak to Liberty. We could help you turn what seems like a complex deal into a fast and fuss-free solution.”

Commercial

As business owners focus on growth and new opportunities, cash flows, inflation and ATO debt are all topical among business borrowers.

Group manager – commercial, Matt Heinnen, says more commercial property owners are often looking for lending solutions to help improve cash flow. He reports a continued trend of SMEs looking to purchase their own premises, rather than rent – sometimes using an SMSF to do so.

Liberty is well positioned to support any borrower seeking business cash flow assistance, looking to purchase commercial property and refinance or consolidate commercial borrowings. Whether it be within an SPV, SMSF, trading entity or individual names, Liberty is flexible even with non-property backed and line-of-credit solutions.

Heinnen says Liberty understands that a borrower’s capacity to service a loan is related to their future income – not their historical income. Liberty credit teams are always trying to understand a borrower’s current situation, rather than following a rigid traditional approach. This means brokers can focus their efforts on understanding the client’s objectives and challenges, while the Liberty team work to help find a solution.

Those brokers interested in writing more commercial or business loans and expanding their offering can start by approaching self-employed home loan clients. Heinnen says brokers may be pleasantly surprised how willing they are to explore alternative options to their existing lender. His advice to all brokers is to know your customer, be curious, and take the time to understand their goals.

Top tip: “Speaking to your Liberty BDM is the best place to start. It’s their job to make your job easier.”

Motor

With new car stock supply normalising and used car prices returning to pre-pandemic levels, dealership incentive campaigns are back in vogue. With customers looking to act quickly to secure a deal on a vehicle for business or personal use, there is ample opportunity for brokers to lend their support.

Group manager – motor, Shaun Gibson, says Liberty is a unique, solution-based lender that aims to fit a wide variety of customer needs, from prime to custom options.

Gibson says something Liberty continues to deliver on is its solution-based commercial product. When it comes to self-employed customers commencing a new business or with a shorter-term ABN, Liberty is a lender that stands out from the rest.

The team works with customers using alternative documentation to verify income streams in the early stages of business development. Liberty BDMs and operations team members are local and ready to walk brokers through all the important details they need to know, as well as support deals on a time crunch.

Top tip: “Engage with us in advance of your transaction so we can assist in delivering a seamless experience – for both broker and customer.”

Australian Credit Licence: 388133