June 06, 2011
On Saturday night South Australia played host to one of the biggest parties of the year thanks to the country's brightest mortgage broking star achieving a very special milestone.
Mortgage Choice's leading franchise owner, Wendy Higgins from Glenelg in South Australia, and her team of 10 celebrated reaching a $1 billion home loan book built from organic growth*. This was a history making landmark for the national company.
260 guests enjoyed the formal evening event, held at Adelaide's InterContinental Hotel into the early morning hours, and were treated to a three course dinner while being entertained by Mark Andrew's International Acclaimed Tribute Performer and Show Band.
Attendees included Wendy's husband Dean and daughter Sara, Mortgage Choice CEO Michael Russell, CBA Executive General Manager Third Party Banking Kathy Cummings, Shadow Minister for Health Dr Duncan McFetridge MP and the President of Glenelg Football Club, Gary Metcalf.
Wendy said of the occasion, "This long-awaited highlight is the culmination of 13 and a half years of hard work and commitment to over 8,000 clients, many of whom we are still working alongside today as they build increasingly successful property portfolios."
"I am delighted to be able to treat my staff and so many of those with whom we have a close relationship to a night of good old fashioned fun. It was a brilliant occasion I will cherish.
"Holding a book of $1 billion in home loans is something most mortgage broking businesses only dream about. I am very pleased and proud of this achievement, which has been made possible with the help of my franchisor Mortgage Choice, our lender partners, my staff and our commitment to looking after all clients in an exceptional manner.
"I also want to send a big thank you to those clients plus our community friends, business contacts and my team's families and mine for supporting the business. Without them it would be nothing."
Mortgage Choice CEO Michael Russell said, "Everyone who knows Wendy will be absolutely thrilled with this milestone. It is a wonderful reward for a wonderful person who is an inspiration to the industry and her community, which I know her business supports in many ways."
"Wendy has absolute commitment to her customers and partners, and is always willing to teach others and share experiences so the people around her benefit. The loan book milestone is an incredible achievement and only one of many Wendy and her team have accomplished over time."
Recent awards include ranking number one on Mortgage Professional Australia's 2010 Top 100 Brokers list and winning both the Broker of the Year - Franchise category and overall Australian Broker of the Year accolade at the 2010 Australian Mortgage Awards.
The always fashionable franchisee wore a custom-made strapless black and silver Armani scroll lace bodice gown with a diaphanous full length tulle skirt by Alexis George to mark the occasion.
* Built through gradually increasing the number of customer home loans rather than buying other loan books.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Belinda Williamson
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
(02) 8907 0472 or 0407 416 124
belinda.williamson@mortgagechoice.com.au
