A passion for finance and helping people find a better deal prompted Mitchell Flitcroft’s move into the world of mortgage broking a few months ago and he hasn’t looked back since. Speaking to The Adviser at the New Broker Academy, the brand new broker explains how he’s embraced the curiosity to grow quickly in the industry
Q. How and why did you get into broking?
I just started in the last few months. I started broking because I was really interested in personal finance, investing, and tax. And my financial adviser said: ‘Don’t get into personal advice because it's very compliance heavy – just a very difficult industry right now’.
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I didn't want to be an accountant. So, that left mortgage broking!
Q. How did you find it starting out in broking?
I think I came in with a bit of hubris. I thought I’d be able to master credit in no time. But it is more difficult than I thought. So, I think if I was to start again, I would probably start out in admin or loan processing, because [broking is] just a bit more difficult than I originally thought.
Q. What are the next steps for you?
Next steps for me [are] to just try to become as good of a broker as I can be and just understand all the moving parts. My goal for the next couple of months is, if I have a friend who chats to me about mortgage broking or their loans – to jus be able to give them all the information that they need and not have to say: “Oh, I have to go and check that!”.
I want to learn as much about the industry as I can this year, and then I can be in a better place to decide where I want to go in the coming years.
I like the idea of [running] a small brokerage and just being able to help clients. That sounds great to me. I don’t need to be writing massive loans.
Q. What have you found most rewarding about broking so far?
I just really love personal finance and tax.
I like being able to help someone get a better deal, especially when they’re in a bad position or they're poorly structured. It’s great to be able to say, “Here’s a really easy win”.
Q. Paul Howe is your mentor – what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from him?
I’m really lucky with Paul. He was with CBA for 20 years and is just a master of credit.
I’m constantly asking him questions throughout the day, and that’s a tip I would have for brokers – try to get a mentor who’s in office. I’m just constantly asking him questions.. whether about the software or some piece of policy, he’s always there to answer it rather than me trying to spend 10-20 minutes to figure it out!
Q. Any top tips you’d give to people who want to get into mortgage broking?
I’d just say research it and hit up all the top brokerages and ask them out for coffee or ask their workers out for coffee and just try to learn that way.
People are really friendly in this industry, so hit everyone up and hear it from the horse’s mouth.
You can find out more about Mitchell Flitcroft in the New Broker podcast.
Tune in to the podcast, New Broker: Top tips and common pitfalls from brokers starting out, here.
