Your own business

Money isn’t the motivator. I’m genuinely committed to doing the right thing by my clients. To hold their hand, help solve problems and get them the best possible outcome. Being an experienced mediator allows me to take a lot of pressure off them when dealing with banks.

Angie VanDyke, Smartline Adviser

When opportunity knocksStarting your own business is never easy. But it can be one of the most personally and financially rewarding decisions you’ll ever make.

By reading this, we imagine you’ve already decided you want something more out of your career and life. And, you’re prepared to do what it takes to achieve those goals.

So, congratulations on taking your first step towards making that happen.

Starting your own mortgage broker business can offer you many great financial and lifestyle benefits. But they only come with a lot of hard work - especially early on. And it doesn’t suit everyone.

For this reason, it’s in your interest and ours to spend as much time as needed to help you decide if a Smartline franchise is the right way for you to secure a better future.

Our success as a company depends on the success of our franchise owners. The entire business is structured around this principle. So when you join Smartline, you will never be on your own.

We wish you all the best with your future business plans.

Chris Acret, Smartline Founder Executive Director

We’ll give you the information that you need to make an informed decision. We encourage you to take your time and do your homework.

Joe Sirianni, Executive Director

Owning your own business can be one of the most rewarding things that a person can do, but like anything worthwhile, it’s not easy...

Brokers are the number 1 way to get a loan Over 50% of home loans are now introduced by mortgage brokers - a number expected to keep rising. Today, more Australians choose mortgage brokers to help them buy first homes, next homes and investment properties than go direct to banks and other lenders.

It’s a growing marketAustralians have an ongoing love affair with property. The Australian mortgage market has grown significantly over the past two decades and now comprises over $380 billion of new loans per annum.

It’s a great consumer serviceMortgage brokers offer borrowers expert advice in choosing the right loan and assist them right through the loan process, saving people time, money and hassle. All for no charge. It’s no wonder that every year more borrowers opt to use brokers.

Australians trust qualified mortgage brokersSince the introduction of credit licences, the industry has become more professional and mature. The qualifications and training Smartline provide means people see our Advisers as genuine, trusted professionals.

Why it’s a good time to become a mortgage brokerMortgage broking has transformed the $380 billion p.a. mortgage market, and the way Australians arrange their home finance. Now is a great time to get your career started.

Owning a Smartline mortgage broking franchise is an opportunity to secure a better future for your clients, while securing a better future for yourself.

Mortgage broking is really about listening to people and helping them get what they need. Having my own business allows me do this. Plus, there’s no ceiling on what I can earn. It’s simply a question of, “How far can I go?”Stuart Sutherland, Smartline Adviser

Self-motivation and driveWhen you work for yourself, and often by yourself, you experience both high and low times. So there are no greater assets than self-motivation, self-belief and a willingness to put in the time and effort required to be successful.

Being a ‘people’ personMortgage broking is all about building strong relationships. You’ll want to be the type of person who enjoys meeting and getting to know your clients, referral partners and colleagues. When people like and trust you, they want to do business with you too.

Building a network of contactsTo build your broking business, you need to feel comfortable selling yourself in order to generate new leads. As time goes by, you’ll build repeat and referred business. However, in the early days it’s likely to be your friends, family and local community who connect you with people who need your services.

Being a problem solverSmartline technology will do a lot of the loan crunching work for you. However, mortgage brokers are in the business of financing and solving problems. To work out which lender is suited for your client, and overcome any obstacles along the way, you need to be able to quickly understand the numbers, and think outside the square.

Being highly organisedWhile the Smartline systems reduce a lot of administrative time, there are things you need to keep on top of every day. From following up leads to keeping in regular contact with clients and referral partners to arranging loans from start to finish, it’s all vital for business success.

What does it take to be a Smartline Adviser?Smartline Advisers come from many different backgrounds, however, the most successful have similar traits and values.

A proven way of doing businessThe Smartline franchise gives you every chance of success. You’re investing in a business model, specialist systems, training and marketing tools that have helped our franchisees build very successful businesses, time and again. So, you can focus on taking the wheel, rather than re-inventing it.

A smart, low overhead approachOur franchise model is designed to keep your overheads low so you can maximise your bottom line. You don’t need an expensive shopfront. You can base yourself from home or share offices and you can generate business through low cost referrals.As your business grows, our systems and central services enable you to save on staffing costs and there are group savings on business costs such as marketing, insurance and licencing.

Excellent income potentialFranchisees earn generous upfront and trailing commissions. Plus, you can expand your earnings through other income streams, such as insurance, commercial lending and equipment finance.

Build a saleable assetYour investment brings significant financial benefits beyond the income you earn while you work. Established Smartline franchised businesses sell for premium market prices. So, as your loan book grows so does your business value. Ask us about how it works.

Enjoy a better work/life balanceHaving the flexibility to work the hours you choose gives you the opportunity to achieve balance in your family and business life. It’s one of the big reasons many franchisees join Smartline.

It feels great to help peopleEveryday as a Smartline Adviser you are helping people buy their family home or invest in their future with property. To help your clients achieve their goals at such an important time in their life (and not charge them) makes mortgage broking a uniquely rewarding business to be in.

You’re part of a ‘family’ businessOne major attraction of joining Smartline is the strong team culture. We don’t base our business on territories, so there’s no rivalry between owners. Instead our franchisees enjoy getting to know and helping each other.

Why become a Smartline franchisee? When you invest in a Smartline franchise, you have a unique opportunity to build the business and future you want – with plenty of support along the way.

Our franchisees are successful (and happy) Smartline franchisees are among the most financially successful business people in the mortgage industry. Our established* franchisees write over $19 million in loans every year, whilst the industry average is $7 million.**

However, we view their real success as much more than financial rewards alone.

Smartline voted Australia’s top franchiseFor the past eight years, Smartline has been awarded Australia’s Top Franchise by independent research firm Ten Thousand Feet (www.topfranchise.com.au) who survey franchisees across all industries regarding:

• support to franchisees• financial rewards• marketing and branding• lifestyle and passion• growth opportunities• willingness to recommend

We encourage you to talk to some of our franchisees

One of the best things that you can do when looking at a new business is to talk with someone who’s had first hand experience. We invite you to ring any of our franchisees and ask them about the business and Smartline – we’re sure they’ll be happy to share their experiences.

*Average excluding first year franchisees ** As published in prosper MFAA finance magazine VOL3 2016

Some of the standout reasons for Smartline’s continued success include the style of coaching and mentoring they provide to their franchisees, the transparent, inclusive company culture and their discipline to keep their franchisees’ businesses lean and geared for growth and profitability.

Ian Krawitz, Head of Intelligence 10 THOUSAND FEET and topfranchise.com.au,

The financial rewards have been excellent, as well as having enough flexibility to be a present parent for the last 15 years. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to grow a successful business whilst maintaining that elusive work/life balance.

Sharon Lee, Smartline Adviser

Why does the Smartline franchise model work so well? The whole Smartline business is geared around helping you be successful. Our franchise model and team approach provides you with a real competitive advantage.

It’s a team approachA major attraction of joining Smartline is the strong team culture. We don’t have territories, rather we encourage our franchisees to help each other. We actively share information and best practice amongst franchisees.

Take the wheel, don’t re-invent itThe Smartline franchise system is designed to free you up from many of the usual small business headaches so you can concentrate on writing more business.

Specialist systemsHaving a unified approach means that we can build more effective systems. Smartline’s specialist proprietary software has been developed over 18 years. During this time, the systems have been continually refined with input from our franchisees to help you be more efficient and productive.

Innovative marketingOperating under a single brand enables us to provide you highly professional cost effective marketing to support your business. Our relationship marketing program helps you generate steady business through all market cycles.

Dedicated supportWith Smartline, you’re not on your own. From your local support team, to assistance with lending scenarios, practical training, business coaching, marketing and IT, our Group Office team is there to help you every step of the way.

Central admin services To help franchisees focus more of their time on generating new business and less on unprofitable admin duties, we offer services such as contracted loan administration and client review phone calls at a low per file rate. It’s also a low cost, high results option to employing and managing staff.

Why become a Smartline franchisee?

Mortgage broking has transformed the $350 billion p.a. mortgage

market, and the way Australians arrange their home finance.

Now is a great time to get your career started.

It’s a growing market

Australians have an ongoing love affair with property. With the

second highest home ownership rate in the world, the Australian

mortgage market is currently valued at over $350 billion and

climbing.

Taking excellent care of clients and knowing you’re making a real difference is so rewarding. It’s the most enjoyable part of the job and helped me quickly build a successful business starting from zero. The Smartline system makes client care easy.

Miriam Castilla, Smartline Adviser

Clients love the Smartline service Smartline franchisees’ average service rating from their clients is 4.9 out of 5. It’s why 85% of their business comes from personal recommendations and repeat business.

The thing that matters most in any service business is the reaction you receive from your clients. And that’s where Smartline excels. Our ongoing client service surveys show that the vast majority of clients rate our service very highly and would happily refer their friends. Why? Because the Smartline experience is all about giving clients added value and trusted advice.

And that’s the key to generating referrals.

Smartline provide you with sophisticated relationship marketing strategies, systems and tools that:

• deliver low-cost, quality personal referrals• create ongoing business• help you grow your business.

The Smartline ‘Client Care Program’ makes it easy for you to nurture and grow your client base through:

• a client review system• you can manage your social media accounts from your smartphone• your own monthly Smartline Report online newsletter• client competitions to engage your clients• email and social media communications to update your network on market

changes such as interest rate changes or announcements and provide market commentary and local property updates

• a series of postcards and greeting cards.

Together, it’s the reason why 85% of Smartline’s business comes from personal recommendation.

275,000delighted clients

all around Australia

98%of our clients

say they would use us again

4.9out of 5

average clientreview rating

Everyone asks if it was ‘scary’ going out on my own and leaving a secure bank job after so many years. I’ve never once felt worried about the choice. Smartline are as passionate about my business as I am, and do everything they can to set you up for success. I should have done it sooner.

Michael Saliba, Smartline Adviser

Get a headstart with our first year Fast-track program

The first year of any business can be make or break. So we offer new franchisees a comprehensive and practical Fast-track program to help get you up and running as fast as possible, laying the foundation for your long-term success.

Your Fast-track program includes:

A dedicated Onboarding ManagerOne Smartline head office point of contact to guide you through every stage of getting your business up and running, including all the compliance steps, your initial training and lender accreditations.

Induction trainingYou’ll kick off with a week of intensive training conducted at the Smartline Group Office covering all important aspects of the business.

Your 90-Day ProgramOngoing training that ensures you are confident in:

• how to use the Smartline systems• lending knowledge • setting up your office and getting your business off the ground.

Business coaching A six-month program designed to help you build your business, including:

• organising your time and networking• practicing and polishing your phone manner, “elevator pitch” and ways to ask for

referrals• how to build your referral network• social media and local marketing.

An experienced mentor Receive valuable and practical guidance in loan writing and dealing with your clients, including:

• product knowledge and loan structuring• loan interview and putting the application together• loan administration.

My franchise is my business, and I really want to help every single person who comes to me. Plus, I love that I’m in control of my earning potential. If I don’t get out of bed I don’t get paid, but if I work hard I can set myself up financially.

Luke Camilleri, Smartline Adviser

Group Office supportYou’ll be able to call on the experienced and professional Group Office team who can guide you in every aspect of your business. All of our management team, including our directors, are available to you. Our Group Office support team includes:

• Your local state support team to assist you with day to day business issues, share best practice and help you grow your business

• Lending support team to assist you with loan scenarios, products and credit policy• Marketing support to help you build your profile and stay top of mind with your

clients and network• Our IT support team to assist you with your IT issues and provide ongoing training

and support• The finance team to assist with your monthly commissions• The compliance team is there to help you meet your compliance requirements.

Professional development daysThere are also quarterly professional development days that bring together lenders, specialist professionals and franchisees to build your knowledge, as well as local focus team meetings with smaller groups to share ideas.

Ongoing trainingAs part of your development program we also provide:

• Individual professionally accredited business coaching• Real-time web conference training sessions• A franchisee chat room where you can post and share lending scenarios as they

happen• A comprehensive online Operations Manual that includes detailed guidelines

covering sales, marketing, lending, operations, management and administration.

ConferencesEach year, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other franchise owners from around the country at our annual national or state conferences, as well as hear about the latest developments within Smartline and across the industry.

Experience, support and development With Smartline, you’ll have an experienced Group Office support team behind you every step of the way.

A respected brand and professional marketingAs a Smartline franchisee we will support you with a suite of innovative marketing tools to help you grow your profile and win new business.

A quality brandThe Smartline brand has been built on “smart advice” using real clients telling their stories about how we’ve helped them. It’s a very human and powerful point of difference.

Your own marketing teamSmartline’s in-house marketing team will help you professionally market your business. It’s like having your own marketing department.

Local advertisingWe’ll help you raise your profile in your local community through professionally designed templates for newspaper ads, flyers, signage, press releases and other marketing tools.

Social MediaSocial media is becoming an ever more important way of how people connect with each other. We provide you training and assistance in using social media to grow and communicate with your network.

Online marketingWith most people now using the Internet to find information on home loans, it is critical to have an effective web presence. We’ll help you promote your business with your own internet site within Smartline’s market leading website.

A suite of marketing collateralTo build client confidence, drive referrals and place you at top of mind awareness we provide a suite of marketing collateral such as your own Adviser Profile and brochures.

Our Smartguide publication is a complete information resource on home loans for clients which is both a real value-add and a powerful prospecting tool.

Specialist systems help youdo better businessYou’ll have access to proprietary, industry best systems that save time and money, streamline administration work and provide your clients with a smooth, professional service.

Client Pre-QualifierQuickly and accurately qualify your clients for finance with all our lenders, find the right loan for their needs and calculate all associated fees and charges.

Fact Find and Statement of Mortgage AdviceUndertake a detailed needs analysis of your clients and provide a comprehensive overview of your advice and recommendations.

Client Database & CRMHelps you manage your client relationships and provide clients with first class advice and care.

Lending DatabaseAccurate, up-to-date details about all the lending products you can access. Lending ToolkitA suite of useful calculators to help win over clients.

Electronic Lodgement PlatformElectronically lodge loan applications with minimal rekeying of data.

Loan Tracking SystemManage your loan applications.

Commission Tracking SoftwareStreamline your administration and get detailed reporting.

Communications SystemsEmail, online diary and Contact Databases for all key lending panel and company contacts.

Compliance SystemsTo meet your compliance requirements, critical in an environment of tightened regulation and licensing.

Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, but the Smartline systems, tools and technologies make you so much more efficient. Once you’re set up you can relationship build without thinking too much about it.

Todd Haffner, Smartline Adviser

Smartline today – unique in the Australian mortgage industry• Strong national footprint - 300+

expert advisers• Solid, sustainable growth – settle

$6 billion in loans per annum• A well-established, trusted brand

– have helped 275,000+ Australians secure loans

• Highly successful franchisees • Excellence in client service – 4.9/5

client rating and 85% referral or repeat business

• Awarded numerous mortgage, finance and franchise industry awards by peers

• Fully accredited members of the Mortgage & Finance Association Australia and Credit Ombudsmen Service Limited

• Support for charity and community over $2.0 million donated to date.

Head OfficeLevel 2, 2 Lyonpark RoadNorth Ryde NSW 2113Ph: 02 9855 4200

Australia’s top franchise - 8 years in a rowWe provide a wealth of support to help our franchisees succeed and deliver a level of service that clients love, return for and tell their friends about. As a result since 2009 we’ve been rated the number one franchise business by franchisees across the country eight times:

• Australia’s Top Franchise 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

• Comprehensive topfranchise.com.au survey of over 1000 franchisees from across the country

• Beat many of the biggest names in Australian business.

About Smartline Smartline was established in 1999 with the simple goal of building Australia’s best mortgage broking business and putting people, rather than banks, in control of their loan options.

Our visionWe never set out to create Australia’s biggest or most well-known mortgage broking business. Our goal was to give people the right loan advice and help them get ahead – be it buying a home, paying off their loan sooner or growing their property portfolio.

So we created a franchise business, with smarter software, and recruited the most experienced and knowledgeable advisers from the banking world. And, instead of advertising to the masses, we focused our energy and resources on providing remarkable service to every single one of our clients.

A few other questions you may have

How much can I earn?We advise our new recruits to count on earning nothing for the first four months while they get up and running. However, as you get established the combination of upfront and trail commissions means that as your business grows, your income grows even faster. We will provide you with detailed commission information when we meet in person.

Do I need to be a full time broker?Yes. Building the business is a full time challenge and the rewards more than compensate the effort. We only accept highly committed applicants.

Can I work from home?Yes. Many of our advisers have started their business from home very successfully, then moved to office premises as their business has grown. Many franchisees share offices.

Do I need to hold a licence?No, Smartline makes regulation easy for its franchisees by holding a central licence, with each franchisee appointed as an authorised credit representative.

How much will it cost me to set up the franchise?Our one-off franchise and training fee is $13,000 + GST, which covers your right to operate the Smartline franchise and your comprehensive training. New industry entrants are also required to undertake a two year accredited mentoring program at a cost of $6,000 + GST. You should also allow for business setup costs (computer, printer etc) and working capital to cover the establishment phase of the business.

Am I restricted by a territory?No, as your business is built on referrals and your client base, there are no territory restrictions.

More informationWe will provide you with more information during the application process to help you form a good understanding of the business. More detailed information is also contained in the Disclosure Document and the Franchise Agreement.

Are you ready for the challenge?What you’ve read so far may sound attractive. However, it’s important to stress that building a mortgage broking business is a real challenge.

Whilst lending experience is an advantage, it’s not mandatory. You do need to:

• have a strong work ethic and the drive to build a business from the ground up• enjoy numbers and problem solving• enjoy helping people and be committed to provide great service • be a great communicator and networker.

If you believe you have what’s required to create your own mortgage broking success story, we’d be delighted to get to know you better and give you more information about the Smartline franchise.

Australian Credit Licence Number 385325

Ranked #1

topfranchise

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OVERALLRanked #1

Build a business you can be proud of with Australia’s No. 1 franchise

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