Di Dunn, Mortgage Express New Zealand
It was obvious that from the outset of Di’s finance career, she had a profound passion for working with people. However, being confined to a single bank with rigid policies posed challenges, particularly when she encountered clients whom she couldn't assist due to these inflexible rules.
Di has been operating her own business as a mortgage adviser for over ten years and we have had the opportunity to chat with her to find out what a typical day is like and how she got into the finance industry.
Q & A with DI
IW: What would you do during a typical day?
DI: Morning rituals are what start my day. After a walk and breakfast my getting ready routine starts at my “workbench” aka “makeup” table where I start thinking through the day ahead. I like to get an early start in at the office and aim to be at my desk by 7.30 AM so that I have some quiet time to review and plan my day. In addition to operating as a Mortgage Adviser myself, I also have a support team and with my business partner mentor and support a team of 9 Mortgage Express Advisers in the Central Region. My day is a mix of assisting my clients and ensuring their needs are met as well as providing support to the team. Prioritising my day is important and flexibility is key as when you are dealing with finance - the day can go in many directions.
IW: How did you get into this industry?
DI: You might say that finance is in my blood. Straight out of school, I started as a grassroots new entrant at ANZ, with my most important job of the day back then is serving tea to the manager on a silver tray with porcelain cups. I progressed up the ranks over time and was one of the small number of “women in banking” at the time who moved into management. Right from the start of my finance career it was dealing with the people that I loved and, in the finance, world working for one bank with one set of policies became frustrating for me, especially when I had a client that I was unable to assist due to these policies. In these instances, and in the interests of finding a solution for them I often would refer my clients out to Mortgage brokers. I then decided well why not me? 15 years later here I am working under the Mortgage Express brand and still thoroughly enjoying what I do and loving the fact that I can access multi lenders to find the best finance solutions for my clients.
IW: What do you enjoy most about your job?
DI: “Approved”. They say money does not buy happiness but when you pick up the phone and deliver the “approved” words to your clients and hear and share in their happiness I beg to differ. Playing such a large part in assisting clients in achieving their goals is the most enjoyable and rewarding part of my job.
IW: What is the most challenging part of your job?
DI: Some of my clients call me a “mortgage magician” and juggling all the balls is the most challenging part of my job. Every client has different needs, and those needs are unique to them and when the need for finance is there for them it brings with it high stress and excitement. Juggling expectations for them, dealing with timeframes and lending policies set by the lenders and getting deals across the line for the Harcourts Agents mean many balls are in the air. I’m very guilty of being a bit of a “workaholic” and am not good at managing my work life balance. A goal that I am striving towards improving with mentoring and bringing new advisers into our team.
IW: What advice would you give others that are looking to move into this industry?
DI: Finance is a people first industry. My guiding values have always been people first and doing the right thing and these values have served me well in my business, for my clients and for my team. You must be flexible with your time and understand that every client does have different needs and that you are not necessarily going to fit them into a square box. Look after the people and success will follow.