Non-Bank Product of Choice Q&A:  La Trobe Financial & Latitude

FFor the third year in a row, La Trobe Financial is named the non-bank lender with the best commercial mortgages. We catch up with Cory Bannister, La Trobe Financial’s vice-president and chief lending officer to find out how they do it

Q: What do you think makes your commercial mortgages so popular with brokers?

We know there are a number of reasons brokers love our commercial mortgage products: the first being that we make it easy for them to do business with us. We don’t have strict accreditation or documentation requirements and our knowledgeable sales team is always available to help with any questions.

For more complex scenarios, brokers also have direct access to our specialist credit team who can discuss our range of options.

We also offer the broadest and deepest product range in the non-bank sector and with loan amounts up to $25 million, we really are one of the only non-bank lenders who can stretch to assist blue chip commercial property owners.

Essentially, brokers can count on us for consistent credit appetite and availability, even through economic ups and downs.

WWhen it comes to asset and equipment finance, Latitude is where many brokers turn. We sit down with Natasha Murray, the general manager, broker & partnerships Australia/New Zealand, to find out what makes them successful

Q: What do you think makes your products so popular with brokers?

Brokers love Latitude because we provide the flexibility to help clients from those who have no credit history through to well-established profiles, applicants new in their job, self-employed, and even self-funded retirees.

We offer solutions for multiple purposes and our products are just as flexible. For example, our asset loans extend to new and used cars, horse floats, boats, tiny homes, grey imports, and more. And they’re BID-compliant.

We also have one of the largest and most knowledgeable relationship management teams in Australia, supported by a business that values brokers. We listen, take on feedback, and constantly improve the experience for our brokers and customers.

Last year we launched our asset finance lending platform, as well as removing the ‘age of asset’ as a requirement to determine a customer’s interest rate. Our online quote process allows our brokers to access a quote in 30 seconds across both personal loans and asset loans with no impact to their credit file.

And what I am most passionate about, we’ve recently created an education series designed to help our brokers diversify and enjoy the benefits of stronger relationships with their clients as they assist with more than just a home loan.