Who are the mortgage industry's best advisers and BDMs?

Tell NZ Adviser before December 1, 2023

Who are the mortgage industry's best advisers and BDMs?

As the 2024 New Zealand Mortgage Awards draw closer, award sponsors are reminding the industry to finalise their nominations before December 1.

The awards, to be celebrated as a cocktail-style ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on 11 April 2024, will recognise and celebrate the advisers, BDMS, brokerages, lenders and aggregators who are raising the bar for the industry.

Organised by Key Media and supported by NZ Adviser, Liberty is the event partner for the 2024 NZ Mortgage Awards.  The award sponsors are Avanti Finance, Finsure New Zealand, First Mortgage Trust, Link Financial Group, Pepper Money, Prospa and Resimac.  Basecorp Finance is the associate sponsor.

Pepper Money is the sponsor of the Adviser of the Year - Residential Award and Link Financial Group is the sponsor of the BDM of the Year (Banks, Non-Banks, Aggregators) Award.

Residential advisers committed to helping clients - Pepper Money 

Pepper Money country head New Zealand Campbell Smith (pictured above left), said that despite the increasing pace and intensity of changes impacting mortgage borrowers, residential mortgage advisers had remained “steadfast” in navigating these shift and helping their clients to succeed.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the industry’s top advisers who have bridged the gap between the complex world of mortgages and the aspirations of countless individuals and families,” Smith said.

Finalists in the Pepper Money Adviser of the Year - Regional category are recognised and celebrated for making the homeownership dream a reality for many who once thought it was beyond their reached or had received a ‘no’ in the past, he said.

“We look forward to seeing the industry come together to celebrate; and Pepper Money is delighted to be supporting this prestigious industry event.”

There are five adviser award categories available for nomination. They are the Pepper Money Adviser of the Year - Regional Award, the Avanti Finance Adviser of the Year - Specialist Lending Award, the First Mortgage Trust New Adviser of the Year Award, the Adviser of the Year- Regional Award and the Commercial Mortgage Adviser Award.

BDMs play integral role within industry - Link Financial Group

Link Financial Group CEO Josh Bronkhorst (pictured above right) said that in many cases, business development managers (BDMs) were “the public face” of the business they represented.

Despite this, the role of the modern BDM (or distribution manager) is “often understated” and “very often undervalued”, he said.

“They are generally expected to wear many hats and are relied on by advisers across the industry to provide not only product advice but often also business and related advice,” Bronkhorst said. “They are mentors, deal coaches, advocates, and confidants for advisers across New Zealand.”

A proficient BDM can be the difference between a good year and a great one, he said.

“We are an organisation that celebrates success as part of our core values. We are proud to be able to sponsor this category, to give recognition to these hard-working individuals,” Bronkhorst said.

As with other awards, nominations for the Link Financial Group BDM of the Year (Banks, Non-Banks, Aggregators) Award can be made on the NZ Mortgage Awards website.

Why New Zealand Mortgage Awards nominations are important

Smith said the New Zealand Mortgage Awards served as a platform to showcase exceptional achievements, innovative ideas and outstanding contributions from top finance advisers and leading lenders.

The awards provide the opportunity to inspire individuals and set benchmarks, “elevating the standards for excellence”.

“By showcasing their remarkable accomplishments, the finalists and winners drive progress and advancement across the mortgage and finance industry,” Smith said.

Bronkhorst acknowledged that the last few years had been challenging from a regulatory perspective, particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic and a strained economy added to the mix.

Advisers and other market participants have shown “remarkable resilience” through this period, which needs to be celebrated, he said.

“The New Zealand mortgage and finance industry boasts many very talented people who have made a huge contribution to raising the bar for the industry and who are making a difference day to day in adviser businesses and the industry as a whole,” Bronkhorst said.

Winners of the 2023 NZ Mortgage Awards, including Ascend Financial Services, Avanti Finance and the Mortgage Girls say that having their achievements recognised has provided a range of benefits to them personally, and to their businesses.

There are 16 award categories available for nomination for the 2024 NZ Mortgage Awards. New categories include Innovator of the Year, Loan Administrator of the Year, Lender of the Year (Major/Non-Major Bank), Non-Bank Lender of the Year, Aggregator of the Year and Regional Brokerage of the Year.

There are just seven days until nominations for the 2024 NZ Mortgage Awards close.  Nominate now via the NZMAs website.

Why is recognising and celebrating success important for the mortgage industry? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.