Meet The Mortgage Broker Wonder Kid Kicking Financial Goals For Highlanders At Loan Market Bowral

A chance meeting at a mate’s place changed the course of Ben Mitchell’s career when he met Robert Simpson of Loan Market Bowral, and found somewhere to use his love of numbers and problem solving. 

We caught up with Ben to have a chat about mortgage broking, half marathons and JDM cars [yep! We had to ask what they were too…..].

Have a read of our chat to find out about this awesome young broker helping locals at Loan Market Bowral.

1 :: How did you get into the industry, Ben?

Well, if I told my younger self five years ago if I’d end up as a mortgage broker, I reckon I would’ve been surprised!

When I finished school – I went to Chev – I wanted to earn some money and do a gap year, so I got a job doing metal profiling, plasma cutting and laser cutting. 

But I’ve always been good with numbers. I often tell people English is my second language and numbers is my first. 

Mum is actually an accountant too, so it was probably only a matter of time before I gravitated towards a career involving numbers.

2 :: And that happened quite organically too, didn’t it?

Yep, that’s right. I got involved with a property transaction and was quite fascinated by the whole process.

One of my friends actually lived next door to Robert. One day I saw the Loan Market Bowral branded car out the front and got chatting to him.

I did a formal interview not long after and nearly two years later, here I am.

3 :: Tell us about the qualifications you’ve gained and you’re working on.

I did my Certificate 4 in Finance + Mortgage Broking, have been accredited by over 30 lenders now, and recently completed my Diploma in Finance + Mortgage Broking.

Doing the qualifications and working closely with Robert has helped me build my confidence, knowledge and experience around working with customers.

I also became known amongst all the lenders which helps a lot too.

And I’m really enjoying mortgage broking.

4 :: So, what is it that you like so much about mortgage broking and working in this part of the finance industry?

Definitely working with numbers day in and day out. I know it’s not for everyone but it’s definitely for me.

Apart from that, I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of it all. We’re here to find solutions for our clients and most of the time, we find them really good ones!

As an example, I had a client recently who had been talking to a few banks directly and the only interest rate they could offer was 8.14% but I managed to get him a deal with an interest rate of 5.09% which the client was really happy with. Customer service is a key part of what I am also passionate about. 

Stuff like that…..working with numbers to solve a problem for a client and get the best possible solution for them. That’s why I enjoy mortgage broking so much.

5 :: And you’re helping locals too.

Absolutely. I was born and raised in the Highlands, went to school here and now working at Loan Market Bowral on Station Street, I’ve got pretty sound local knowledge and enjoy working with local clients.

Living and working locally means I’m more connected to the context of what their goals are.

Word of mouth is a big thing for us too. We all know how important having a good reputation locally is and we’re proud that we have that.

We also have great relationships with other financial professionals and insurance brokers across the Highlands and all of us often refer clients to each other.

It’s a really supportive local network.

6 :: How is it working with Robert and the Loan Market Bowral team?

Rob’s been great. He’s really taken on the role of mentor and helps me with so much.

Just the other day, I had to create videos for an assessment I was doing for my Diploma and he stayed back after hours and helped me get it done.

He’s an absolute blast to work with.

The structure of the processes here at Loan Market Bowral make it really efficient too.

Everything we do is scaffolded by process and procedure which actually makes it really easy to think outside the box and solve those problems for our clients. It also creates an exceptional customer experience. 

If you’re ever unsure, you just come back to the process and take it from there…..it creates a structured way to work which I really enjoy.

7 ::  We heard you’re taking on another challenge soon – what’s that?

Ah yes, I run to keep fit and I’m training for a half marathon in Canberra soon which should be fun.

I live in East Bowral so you’ll often find me running out there, through Bowral, down to the Bong Bong track and back again.

8 :: Not sure we’d describe a half-marathon as fun! Tell us about your other hobby.

I buy and then do up or restore JDM cars.

JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market cars.

I’ve got a couple of Supra’s at the moment but I actually started with a JDM for my daily car but then it became a bit of a project, so I had to buy another daily car, then that daily car became a project too……it’s a bit of a cycle!

9 :: And what do you love about living and working in the Southern Highlands, Ben?

I like the people – most people are really laid back and relaxed.

And I like all the options we have here for getting outdoors – all the trails and runs and swimming holes we’ve got around us.

In the warmer months, I’ll often run out to the 60 Foot Falls and go for a swim and run back. 

10 :: Because you can!

Exactly…..because that’s what you can do when you live in the Southern Highlands.

Thanks Ben – great to chat!

Highlanders, the Loan Market Bowral team is committed to helping locals secure the right loan for their immediate and future goals – whether that’s for a first home, third investment property, refinancing, business investment or buying a new car.

Excellent customer service is the core priority and Robert, Ben and the team are always happy to chat to Southern Highlanders keen for lending advice and expertise.

Contact the team via their website here or call the office on 4862 1215.

***

This blog features friends and advertisers of The Fold Southern Highlands and is fully endorsed by The Fold Southern Highlands. We strongly believe in the businesses and all the information we share with you on The Fold and we’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses. We want to say a BIG thank you to you for supporting our sponsors who help make The Fold possible.