Choose Astute and Diversify Your Business V2

CHOOSE ASTUTE

and diversify your business

ABOUT US

at Astute

Operating since 2000, Astute has established itself as a highly respected
financial services provider with a membership base comprising of
approximately 500 finance, insurance and financial planning specialists
across Australia.
We are a non-aligned, privately owned business, leading the market with
a fully integrated financial services offering to our members. With a loan
book of over $20 billion dollars, we are well positioned for growth.
We are committed to innovation in the financial services industry and
are proud to provide our members with access to an unmatched suite of
financial products.

OUR JOURNEY vv 2009

2003 Australian Mortgage
Brokers & Mortgage
Mortgage Wisdom join us
aggregation & broker
growth v

v Commercial &
equipment finance
Astute established added to business
as a single operator
mortgage business 2006

2000

“Diversification is not a new idea, it’s in our DNA!
We’ve been helping members grow diversified
businesses for over 15 years. If you want to grow
it’s time to change.”

BRAD WOOD - DIRECTOR

Commencing our business as a mortgage aggregator Astute quickly
diversified its product offering to include commercial and equipment
finance in 2006.
In 2012 we developed a fully integrated insurance and financial planning
business for our members called Astute Insurance and Wealth (AIW).
Astute holds both an Australian Credit Licence and an Australian Financial
Services Licence, enabling our members to build lifelong relationships with
their clients by offering the full suite of financial services.

2012 2014 2016

Financial planning arm Astute branded retail Centrepoint Alliance
with inception of AIW product suite Lending join us
Dealer Services
v v
v v vv

Transition to a Fully Astute commences Launch of Astute
Integrated Financial retail branding retail brand
Services Model project
2015
2010 2013

WE SUPPORT YOUR

clients’ every need

Connecting you with a network that supports your
business

At Astute, we believe the future of our industry lies in our members’ ability
to become trusted advisers to their clients. We’ve created a business
model that helps members consult with their clients in all areas of finance,
insurance and wealth.
We encourage them to focus on their skill set, and recruit or refer to other
specialists. This not only enhances their relationship with and service to
their clients, but strongly diversifies their income.
We believe diversification is not merely a tick and flick exercise, but a
process of understanding the needs of clients and ensuring our members
are able to fulfil those needs.

JOANNE WALL - HENDRA QLD ERIC KOELMEYER - LALOR VIC

“Well respected by lenders, and offering “As a Financial Planner, I joined Astute
finance, insurance and wealth solutions, because of the choice of providers on
we can access a depth of resources (both the panel and the ability to leverage
industry knowledge and marketing) to relationships with other members of
grow our business. the group.

From staff induction and mentoring, I now use the Astute brand and am
through to systems and sales support, I able to offer my clients a full range of
believe that Astute offers me the best in services, including financial planning
the business.” and lending.”

vv v v vv MORTGAGES At Astute we are
FINANCIAL focused on helping
PLANNING members get the most
VEHICLE out of an integrated
FINANCE business model
EQUIPMENT
FINANCE Our management team work
COMMERCIAL with members to ascertain the
FINANCE best method of integration for
INSURANCE their business, whether that
be through referrals to others
within the group or through
specialisation within the business
with the hire of new recruits.

YOUR ASTUTE

Business Evolution

SOLE OPERATOR BUSINESS OWNER

Sole operator business Several people working for you

• All business development and • Business typically contain a
administration undertaken by fulltime support person focusing
one person on administration and marketing
support
• Business is typically operated
from a home office • Greater level of systemisation in
the business
• Relationship with customer is
transactionally focused • Limited but consistent cross-sell
• Informal referral arrangements
• Other financial products are
offered on a reactionary basis exist with other product
providers
• Limited planned marketing in • Typically operates out of an office
place environment

FULLY INTEGRATED FINANCIAL SERVICES MODEL

Full range of financial services offered

• Specialists exist in the business for each of the services
(eg. Financial Planner, Mortgage Broker, Commercial Broker)

• Documented customer service processes are in place
• Marketing systems are in place
• Joint ventures may exist with key referral partners
• Business typically exists out of a fully branded environment

FINANCE INSURANCE WEALTH

• Residential • Life Insurance • S uperannuation
• Commercial • Income Protection • Wealth Protection
• Equipment • Trauma Protection • Debt Reduction
• Car & Personal • Home & Contents • Estate Planning
• Construction • C ar Insurance • SMSF

OUR ASTUTE

Footprint

From Palm Cove in the North of
Queensland to Margaret River in
Western Australia, Astute has a
comprehensive presence across
the country.

Northern Queensland
Territory

Western South New South
Australia Australia Wales

Victoria

Tasmania

THE BRAND vv v $22b

Astute v LOAN BOOK

Astute commenced operations 460 +
as a wholesale Lending
Aggregator, and has recently MEMBERS
developed an Astute Retail
Brand. $900m
The Astute Brand reflects
our belief in simplifying the UNDER
complex world of finance and MANAGEMENT
providing long term support
and peace of mind for your COMMISSIONS
clients. PAID QUICKLY
Members who operate under
the Astute Brand receive all of
the benefits that come with a
fully maintained and supported
brand, including a fully
supported marketing program.
We take the stress out of
maintaining a retail brand,
including compliance and
regulatory requirements.
If you choose to use the Astute
Brand, all of branding collateral
is available for your use and
can be tailored for your local
market as required.

MARKETING

your business

The Astute Client Engagement
Program is designed to provide the
marketing support you need to help
you focus on the day-to-day running
of your business.
Whether you choose your brand or ours, we have marketing services
that will help to keep you front of mind with your clients. As they look
to make important financial decisions throughout their lives, we actively
position you as the central point of contact for their every need. Marketing
campaigns are developed in-house to assist members in communicating
consistently with their clients throughout the year.

JOSH EGAN KAYLEIGH KILGORE
MELBOURNE - VIC NEWCASTLE - NSW

“My relationship with Astute commenced “The best part of being part of Astute is
in 2008. Since then I have been nominated the family vibe. The other offices are all
for and won numerous industry awards. determined to help each other succeed,
What I expect from my aggregator is and help grow not only their own
assistance with credit issues and business businesses, but each other’s.
planning, good software and marketing
support; Astute ticks these boxes and even The collaboration and relationships
pays my commissions regularly and on between offices has significantly helped
time. If you are looking for an aggregator me grow my business and improve my
that cares about the success of your systems and processes.”
business look no further than Astute.”

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

Keeping your business front of mind.

Astute proactively uses social media and digital campaigns to keep your
clients informed about topical financial information and opportunities.
This program helps position you at the centre of your client’s financial world.

Needs are fulfilled Life circ
umstances change
Already thinking Astute
s a ifnancial need
Requires expert Client ha

INSURANCE

and wealth

Astute Insurance and Wealth (AIW) is a non-aligned dealer with a diverse
panel of providers aimed at offering advisers a broad suite of offerings.
The financial planning profession has consolidated in the last few years
with large institutions owning controlling stakes in many dealer groups.
This has enabled Astute to differentiate itself with highly personalised
service and a diverse panel of offerings. This has been a key feature of the
model from the outset of the business and has helped to differentiate AIW
in the market place.

The AIW Difference

SIMPLE CONSISTENT BECOME CENTRE OF
INVESTMENT COMMUNICATION YOUR CLIENTS’
APPROACH
STRATEGY FINANCIAL WORLD

RESIDENTIAL

Finance

With a broad panel of residential lenders, Astute provides access to a
large range of finance products for all residential market segments.

With a dedicated credit coach ready and willing to assist, and with
development days aimed at business development and growth, Astute’s
network of members are well supported as they grow their businesses.

At Astute you have access to all types of residential finance including:

• Owner Occupied • Low Doc
• Investment • SMSF
• Reverse Mortgages • Non-Conforming

EQUIPMENT

Finance

Astute’s key point of difference is that they actually understand the
equipment finance market. This has allowed us to build a market leading
lender panel which caters for a diverse range of your clients’ personal and
business needs.
Astute’s knowledge and resources in this market meets the needs of both
the specialist, and the broker looking to diversify their service offering. Our
platform is underpinned by:
• Training and support provided by experienced personnel
• Access to current industry information
• Tools to assist lender selection
• In addition to traditional loan facilities we have access to specialised

products including vendor arrangements, software funding, rental, fleet
leasing, operating lease and hire to buy arrangements
• Fully compliant NCCP lending process which ensures all your legal
obligations are met
Over the journey, Astute has financed a wide variety of personal and
business assets - from the simple to the complex. Regardless of your
client’s needs we are well placed to assist you find them the right solution.

COMMERCIAL

Finance

Astute’s reputation in the commercial finance market is one of quality.
Comprising 1st and 2nd tier Australian Banks, plus a range of specialist
lenders, our lender panel is designed to meet a broad range of client
needs.
Astute is solutions focused across a number of industries rather than
catering to a specific market segment such as property.
Astute’s approach supports a diversified business model by delivering
access to a complete suite of financial products which include but are not
limited to:
• Business lending including acquisition
• Franchise lending
• Commercial property purchase including SMSF
• Review and restructure of existing commercial lending
• Working capital facilities including debtor finance
• Property development funding

SUPPORT

Network

We realise that building a business is not easy and have specialist
resources available to support our members.
• Business Managers - Our Business Managers have access to a range of
planning tools including a program that steps you through the growth of
your business. This program helps you analyse the current state and future
plans of your business, and enables you to work towards your desired
business goals.
• Credit Coach - The Credit Coach is available to help our members providing
timely guidance on loan placement and loan structuring. The Credit Coach
produces regular updates covering industry changes within the lending
environment.
• Advice Coach - The Advice Coach is available to our advisers for technical
questions regarding solutions being offered to clients. This is a national role
acting as a central point of information that provides timely and accurate
information to advisers.
• Commissions - Astute has a full time commissions team that is available to
members on a daily basis and pays commissions across all business streams.
• New Member Onboarding - We have a dedicated operations and
accreditation team who support new members through the onboarding and
transition process. We support you every step of the way.

MEMBER

development

Our level of training and support is a key differentiator for Astute in the
marketplace and has been a key driver for our business growth.
• Compliance - We have a full time compliance team whose role is to support
and coach members through the compliance framework. We provide you
with quality real-time feedback. This ensures that Astute maintains high
standards around the quality of services that are provided by the group.
• Member Days - These days revolve around developing members
understanding of the roles of a diversified service offering. They are
designed to help our members work on their business rather than in their
business.
• Product Days - To keep up to date with the latest technical and specific
product training, Astute coordinates sessions to provide industry partners
with the opportunity to present new or updated information to our
members.
• Technology Days - These days are focused on developing member skills and
familiarisation with the technology platforms that support their businesses.
• Additional Training - Astute holds regular training sessions both face to face
and via webinar tailored to specific topics pertinent to members.

TECHNOLOGY

Platforms

At Astute we are committed to ensuring our members have access to the
technology they need to effectively grow their businesses. This includes
dedicated resources within the business with specialist knowledge of our
technology platforms.

ASTUTE ONLINE - Astute Online is a portal that contains information for
all of our members including marketing, product information, the Astute
manual and other information you and your team need to manage your
business on a daily basis.

SPECTRUM - Built on a XPLAN - Xplan is the leading
Microsoft Dynamics platform, system in the Financial Planning
Spectrum allows our members profession, helping our members
to electronically lodge loan to automate the workflows in
applications to our lending their businesses and provide
partners, and also gives you the quality and timely advice. Xplan
ability to communicate to your can also automate marketing and
clients, all in the one system. client communications.

JOIN US

and grow

The ideal candidate to join Astute PETER TRETHOWAN
is someone who is looking to take WILSTON - QLD
their business to the next level.
Whether you currently operate in the “It has been the vision of Astute that
lending or financial planning space, has helped me to develop from a single
we have the systems and support to operator to a fully integrated business
help you integrate the full range of that now includes ten highly skilled
financial services into your business. brokers (two in their own offices) , three
We help you transition your business in-house financial planners and one
from a transactional based model to designated commercial broker.
one based on long term relationships
responsible for a client’s entire The team at Astute are friendly and
financial lifecycle. We help you build approachable and always there for my
your own financial services business. team when required.”

CONTACTS Astute Financial Management Pty Ltd ABN 59 093 587 010
Australian Credit Licence Number 364253 | AIW Dealer
Services Pty Ltd ABN 59 153 322 420 | AFSL 414256

NATIONAL Nathan Kerr
QLD Head of Sales - 0402 217 388
NSW [email protected]
VIC/SA/WA Tanya Maller
Business Manager - 0450 119 726
[email protected]
Katrina Sydenham
Business Manager ‐ 0447 986 364
[email protected]
Cathy Mattinson
Business Manager ‐ 0458 827 555
[email protected]

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