RateOne announces new CEO

The company has nearly 30 brokers as well as an offshore processing team and a team of financial advisers. It reportedly wrote over $600 million in loans in 2020. 

Mr Albones was previously the head of broker distribution Vic/Tas at National Australia Bank (NAB) – a role he held for the past six years. He has also worked at several other NAB-owned companies, including Advantedge Financial Services (as head of broker sales and as national lending manager), and PLAN (senior BDM Vic/Tas).

Speaking of the appointment, RateOne director Adam Nelson said: “It would be an understatement to say how enthusiastic the team was when we announced internally that Blake would be joining RateOne. It is not very often that you get an opportunity to pitch to someone of his calibre and standing within the industry. 

“We were very fortunate that he saw the same potential and belief in RateOne, and we’re genuinely excited to be working with Blake as we look to expand the group.”  

Fellow director Martin Fedmowski also commented, stating: “To find a person who is so highly regarded within the broker and lender community is very hard, that is why we are so excited about the future of RateOne and in particularly the next 12-24 months. 

“We believe Blake will drive growth in all areas of our business from mortgages, financial planning and asset finance.”

Mr Albones said he was “extremely excited” to be joining the RateOne team, adding: “The opportunity to join a business with aggressive growth targets and a business that is completely customer-focused and driven aligns perfectly to what I was looking for. 

“RateOne has built a great support offering to its brokers, and I am keen to tell the market more about it,” he said.

RateOne aggregates through Choice Aggregation Services and is one of the largest brokerages operating under the group.

Choice CEO Stephen Moore noted the new appointment, saying: “Blake will be a fantastic addition to the RateOne team. 

“Blake is a very experienced leader, he has passion for the broker market, and I’m sure his people management skills will be well regarded as RateOne continues its growth plans.” 

Sean Reid, head of choice aggregation and operations, also congratulated RateOne for “the astute appointment of Blake Albones to their management team”.

“I have worked with Blake as both a colleague and a competitor and have witnessed his ability to grow a business and build long-term relationships. [I am] looking forward to completing the loop and working with Blake as a member of Choice Aggregation and contributing to RateOne’s growth,” he said. 

[Related: Building a brokerage: Expansion]