HashChing hires former Westpac exec as co-founder steps down

Mr Amarasekera has previously held leadership roles at Westpac, Object Consulting and NSW Department of Finance and Services. 

He commented: “I’m excited to join the team and help lead the next wave of disruption in the mortgage industry. 

“I have a strong background in engineering and solutions architecture for the financial sector, which I feel can benefit the company as it transcends beyond the start-up phase.

“I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and experience to assist HashChing’s growth and development, both within the mortgage space and in other verticals.” 

HashChing CEO Mandeep Sodhi welcomed Mr Amarasekera and said that his experience in engineering, technology and solutions architecture would help drive HashChing’s growth ambitions. 

“As we continue to grow, the focus is less about fixing the traditional issues around securing good home loans rates, as we’ve addressed these already, and more about preempting potential problems that our customers might have, or don’t realise they have.

“This kind of forethought and out-of-the-box thinking is necessary for our business to thrive in such a competitive and changing space.”

Mr Sodhi continued: “Vajira has an exceptional track record and has proven that he can lead complex solutions while managing tough time and resource constraints.

“He has worked across companies with massive market shares and complex business road maps, so I am confident that he will be able to keep driving and extending HashChing’s current growth rate and performance.”

Atul Narang leaves the business

Mr Sodhi also revealed that co-founding partner and chief information officer Atul Narang would be leaving the company “to spend more time with his family”.

Mr Narang will continue to be a major company shareholder.

The outgoing CIO said: “I have played my role at HashChing by building a stable product, secure infrastructure and a great tech team, so it’s the right time for me to move on and look for my next challenge. It has been a great journey and I am very proud of my contribution to the business.

“I would like to take a break to spend some time with my family before I look for my next challenge.”

Mr Sodhi said: “Atul has helped build the company from the ground up and his work has shaped every facet of the business.

“I am sad to see him go, especially as we crafted the original idea together after being frustrated with our own home loans, but excited to see all that he will achieve in the future.”

Since its launch, HashChing has processed over $14 billion worth of home loan applications, and it has more than 700 broker partners.

It also recently partnered with Titlexchange to improve its conveyancing platform.

[Related: Mortgage fintech looks to blockchain for home loans]