Ian Boyce
General Manager, Property
New Zealand’s financial landscape is constantly evolving, creating both challenges and opportunities in property finance. With OCR cuts and mortgage rates falling, signs of recovery in the property market are emerging. However, the lasting impact of high interest rates and rising living costs over the past few years, combined with the current macroeconomic uncertainty, cannot be overlooked.
Traditional lenders have widened their lending criteria in recent years and are now finding themselves stretched thin and struggling to meet demand, resulting in lengthy waiting times and impersonal service. These factors have significantly impacted credit access and shifted how New Zealanders approach property financing.
Today’s borrowers seek more than one-size-fits-all solutions; they want tailored financial options that address their unique circumstances. This shift highlights a growing preference among customers to seek expert guidance from financial advisers rather than approaching lenders directly. Advisers have become essential navigators, helping clients find the most suitable financing options in an increasingly complex market. But how can advisers effectively capture the market opportunities and unlock growth?
The rising demand for trust, speed, and consistency
As the market continues to evolve, advisers are increasingly prioritising trust, consistency and speed from lenders to meet their clients’ needs. They seek reliable, long-term support, particularly after some overseas-based lenders have withdrawn from the New Zealand market. Homegrown finance companies like Avanti Finance, with 35 years in the industry, offer stability, consistency, and the flexibility advisers need to navigate these shifting conditions.
Speed of response has become increasingly crucial. While banks have expanded their risk appetite, they often struggle to keep up with complex applications or new customers. With interest rates reducing and many customers refixing for shorter terms, banks are overwhelmed with enquiries. In some cases, banks have even stopped accepting applications from new customers altogether. As a result, advisers are finding that the traditional pathways often fall short, and this is where specialist lenders like Avanti step in.
With 95% of our distribution through third-party channels, strong relationships with advisers aren’t just part of our business model – they’re the engine driving our success. We’re committed to helping advisers diversify beyond banks and grow their businesses. This commitment fuels our ongoing investment in technology and resources that enable us to review applications with care and efficiency, providing flexible and personalised solutions to deliver optimal client outcomes.
Better lending solutions beyond interest rate
At the heart of successful specialist lending lies a simple truth: every borrower’s story is unique. While modern technology helps streamline processes, it’s the human understanding of individual circumstances that makes the real difference, especially when navigating complex lending scenarios.
The recent launch of our customer mobile app has enhanced the borrower experience, enabling easy account management and self-service features. However, technology represents just one part of the equation. We believe in blending digital innovation with genuine human connection. While automation improves efficiency, it can never replace the value of personal understanding.
With a nationwide business development team and a dedicated specialist lending team, we’re always here when advisers need us. We bring the expertise to evaluate every application, provide comprehensive tools and resources to help advisers navigate complex situations and craft tailored solutions. This support enables advisers to confidently handle diverse client needs, moving beyond the rigid ‘box-ticking’ approach commonly found in traditional mortgage lending.
Our commitment to clear communication and transparency ensures that customers fully understand their options, fostering confident decision-making that aligns with their financial situation. It’s about innovation that never loses sight of what matters most: the people we serve and the relationships we build.
“With more and more customers turning to advisers, we’re committed to helping our introducers diversify and capture market opportunities through on-going investment in innovation and personalisation.”
– Ian Boyce
An adviser-lender partnership that unlocks future growth
At Avanti, we specialise in making complex lending simple. Our diverse portfolio of solutions, combined with our deep understanding of risk, pricing, and affordability, helps advisers to say ‘yes’ more often to their clients. As a one-stop shop for specialist lending, we’re here to support advisers in handling intricate cases that might not fit the traditional lending model.
Ready to explore how we can grow together? Let’s have a conversation to discover how Avanti Finance can support your business growth in 2025 and beyond.
