BDM in the spotlight: Michael Donato

This week's ANZ commercial broker for regional QLD/NT has 29 years industry experience including 16 years dealing within the broker industry

BDM in the spotlight: Michael Donato

ANZ Commercial Broker for regional QLD and NT, Michael Donato, has 29 years industry experience including 16 years dealing within the broker industry.

BDM in the spotlight asks a different BDM the same 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? 
I see brokers every day and talk to approximately 10+ brokers on the phone a day.

What do brokers want most from you? 
Responsiveness, easy to transact with and a friendly and pro-active attitude.  As I do both Commercial and Asset Finance, my brokers need me to be well versed in policy and appetite across both Commercial Bank lending and Asset/Car finance.

What is your favourite part of the job? 
Interacting with brokers and helping provide financial solutions to their needs.  I also like the education piece of upskilling mortgage brokers into looking for commercial opportunities.  My team and I run varying workshops all throughout QLD & NT to teach brokers how to transact in asset finance, commercial lending and deal structuring.

What distinguishes the best brokers you deal with?
The relationship held between myself and the broker.  The best brokers also have a willingness to learn and diversify from their core business (be it, mortgages, commercial or asset finance).

Describe your ideal weekend: 
Spending time with my 3 sons – we generally like to go bike riding.  My son is also an aspiring soccer player and has just secured a sporting scholarship with a school on the Gold Coast…so my weekends of late have been flying to Brisbane to ferry him between games and training sessions!

What’s the strangest lending scenario you’ve ever encountered? 
Clients wanting to borrow a significant amount of money with no business acumen and/or collateral.

What's your top time saving tip and how much time does it save you?
A daily run sheet and planning monthly in advance. This saves me a significant amount of time and keeps me focused to an agenda

How do you like your steak done? 
Medium – rare with chips on the side

Michael's contact details:
[email protected]
0466 776864

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