Banker-turned-broker expects more to make the move as banks restructure

A leading banker-turned-broker has predicted more of his former counterparts will make the transition as the banking sector undergoes restructuring.

As major banks flag restructures which will see up to 350 branches close by the end of the year, former leading ANZ Business Banker Shahzad Anwar tipped more banking staff would utilise their skills sets and make the move to broking.

Shahzad established Excel Finance and Advisory this financial year, under aggregator Loan Market. He brings to the business a wide breadth of experience working with clients in manufacturing, importing and exporting, pubs and clubs, franchises, commercial property, health and medical and childcare.

Shahzad made the move after more than a decade at major banks including ANZ, where he was part of a team assigned to approximately 50 premier-level commercial and asset finance brokers around Australia, assessing five to six applications per day. He became one of ANZ’s top business bankers for the past few years. Prior to his time at ANZ, he spent three and a half years at CBA.

He expected more bankers to make the transition to broking. “I’ve referred four people from the banking sector to Loan Market since I’ve made the move.

“A lot of people (from banking) call me and want to know what life is like as a broker. I don’t know what it’s like at other aggregators, but at Loan Market, MyCRM and its supporting tools have made it a good move for me.”

As a business lending specialist, Shahzad has been focusing on supporting his Sydney-based clients in their post-lockdown recovery, especially in trade finance and cashflow lending.

He does, however, intend to utilise Loan Market’s systems, tools and training to introduce residential lending into his service offering.

As a first time business owner, Shahzad predicts he’ll settle $15m in loans in his first year.

Loan Market Director, Growth, Suzi Trajanovski has led the aggregator’s Banker to Broker program for five years now.

Originally starting out as a quarterly event that attracted circa 20 attendees has now transformed into a monthly program attracting more than 40 interested people.

Suzi said, “The popularity of the Banker to Broker events has risen significantly, lately. There’s a lot of curiosity around life on the other side, with changes to the banking landscape making it difficult for many.

“The prospect of building your own business and being your own boss is something that appeals to many finance professionals.

“This year we’ve seen quality operators like Shahzad join Loan Market and that trend is going to continue into 2022.”