Celebrating the Women of Lendi Group: Matilda Phan

Our International Women’s Day profile series continues today with a feature story on Matilda Phan . After beginning her career in card and fraud administration in the banking industry, Matilda joined Lendi in 2018 as an Associate. Matilda quickly showed great promise for sales, becoming a Home Loan Specialist before too long, and she has continued to clock impressive results since then, culminating in her induction to Lendi Group ’s Signature Program in 2022.

We sat down with Matilda to discuss the significance of International Women’s Day, and more broadly, the importance of continuing to strive for a diverse and equitable future for all.

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

Coming from a migrant background, I see the importance of any initiative that shines a spotlight on the value of diversity. International Women’s Day specifically, is a great opportunity to pause and recognise the amazing women in our business and celebrate the contribution they make.

My parents’ experience of migrating to Australia, and hearing about some of the hardships they’ve endured, has played a huge role in shaping my work ethic. As a way of expressing my gratitude to them for the sacrifices they’ve made for myself and my siblings, I really hustle in my work, so I can help them enjoy the life they deserve. There are so many women with similar stories, here and abroad, whose sacrifices and hustle go unnoticed, so I think it’s vital that we amplify their stories and ensure they’re recognised and rewarded for what they do – and I think International Women’s Day is a great vehicle for that.

Why do you think broker diversity is so important?

I think it’s really important for people from diverse backgrounds to see themselves represented in the industry. Our country is made up of people from such a broad range of backgrounds, so diversity allows us as an industry to connect with more people to better assist their unique needs. In an industry that’s so male dominated, I think it’s crucial to take steps toward increasing female representation so our industry is reflective of broader society.

What steps can we take to improve gender balance in the mortgage broking industry?

I think Lendi Group is already doing some great things in this space. There are many wonderful female brokers in the network, and using opportunities like International Women’s Day to elevate their stories and celebrate their wins is a great way of capturing the attention of other women who might be considering joining the industry. On a cultural level, Lendi Group’s commitment to a flex-first philosophy also assists in eliminating systemic barriers of entry that women face in many professions.

On a wider industry level, I think it’s important for men to have a seat at the table when it comes to discussing and championing diversity, because progression towards true gender equality will not be possible without their involvement and accountability.

Why do you think mortgage broking is a great career path for women to consider?

When I joined Lendi Group as an associate, I didn’t even know what an interest rate was! However, the idea of being able to help people achieve a goal really appealed to me. Being driven by financial success is great, but I think the ability to genuinely help people realise a dream would be a huge motivating factor for many women, as it was for me. I think women possess a lot of traits that would make them natural born brokers – like a desire to help people, and a real care and compassion for others.

I’m also finding that women are often the primary financial decision makers in the household. The home loan process can feel quite daunting for some, especially in the current environment, with changing market conditions adding another layer of complexity. I think the opportunity for female customers to connect in with another woman as their broker goes a long way in helping ease any uncertainty they have around the process. Take my word for it, being able to simplify things for customers and help them achieve something significant is the most rewarding feeling!