| Type | Private Company |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Area served | Australia |
| Key people | John Symond (Executive Chairman and Founder), James Symond (Executive Director), Stephen Porges (Chief Executive Officer) |
| Services | Mortgage broking, Home Loans, Personal Loans, Credit Cards, Insurance |
| Website | http://www.aussie.com.au/ |
Aussie is one of Australia’s leading non-bank retail financial services group with operations spanning all mainland capital cities and major regional centres throughout Australia.
As one of the country's largest non-bank providers of financial services, Aussie has a loan book of more than $40 billion. Aussie brokers offer guidance, assess eligibility, lodge the applications and then support first home buyer or borrowers through the home loan process.
The company has approximately 150 stores in all seven Australian states.[1]
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Aussie was founded as Aussie Home Loans on 17 February 1992[1] by owner and executive chairman John Symond. The company was unique in its approach to home loans, offering 24 hours a day service and loans far cheaper than those offered by banks. In 1994 the company introduced the securitisation of home loans, allowing them to offer loans upwards of 3% cheaper than its competitors. The company rapidly grew as consumers became aware of its products and banks were forced to copy Symond's methods as their market share rapidly diminished. The company under Symond's guidance re-invented itself as a mortgage broker in 2002, selling both its own products as well as the banks and also successfully introduced its own low rate credit card shortly thereafter. As of 2011, Aussie Home Loans has a loans portfolio of almost $40 billion.[1] John Symond acts as Executive Chairman with his nephew, James Symond, also a founding member and Executive Director responsible for sales and distribution activities across the group.
In February 2009, Aussie acquired Wizard Home Loans.[2] The deal saw the loan book expand to more than $31bn (at the time). As part of the deal, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) acquired up to $4 billion of mortgages originated by Wizard. Aussie also acquired the franchise distribution network of Wizard – of which CBA owned a 33 per cent stake. The deal covered over 120 retail outlets in city and regional areas around Australia and over 250 brokers. The acquisition added significantly to the company's retail distribution capabilities.
Aussie’s accredited Mortgage Brokers represent 16 home loan brands, including all four major banks, while also offering their own suite of loan products including home loans, personal loans, credit cards and insurance.
On 9 June 2011, Aussie was awarded Mortgage Broker of the year at the Australian Banking and Finance Awards.[2] The win was a remarkable fourth in a row and confirmed the company’s dominance in the Mortgage broking market. The company has also won numerous other awards including Most Innovative Product of the Year in 2009 for Loan Cover and 2010 for its own range of tiered pricing home loans – Aussie Classic.
Main article: List of Aussie Awards
Aussie Brokers are independently contracted to Aussie and are paid on a commission only basis. Aussie gives potential brokers the chance to join a market leading brand with high consumer awareness as well as the opportunity to receive qualified leads and have access to office facilities and coaching from experienced sales managers and credit coaches.
Aussie has held corporate sponsorships of Australian sports teams including Collingwood Football Club in the AFL and the New South Wales State of Origin side.
On March 4 2009 Aussie announced that it would take over Wizard Home Loans’ sponsorship of the NSW State of Origin Rugby League Team for the next two years. The move closely followed Aussie’s acquisition of Wizard Home Loans, the previous sponsor. Aussie also inherited the sponsorship of AFL side Collingwood after the Wizard takeover. Both deals lasted two seasons (2009–2010) before Aussie withdrew to focus on new initiatives.[3][4]
In 2002, Aussie purchased the naming rights in a five year plus five year deal with the stadium renamed Aussie Stadium.[5] On 7 July 2007 the stadium reverted back to its original Sydney Football Stadium name after Aussie and the SCG Trust mutually elected not to extend the naming rights deal.[6]
| John Symond | Executive Chairman and Founder |
| James Symond | Executive Director Founding Member |
| Stephen Porges | Chief Executive Officer |
| David Smith | General Manager Strategy and Products |
| Lynda Harris | General Manager People |
| John McDonald | General Manager Products and Technology |
| Stuart Tucker | General Manager Marketing and Products |