Winner Showcase: Leading with integrity in asset finance

·25 min·2 clips

Colin Evans reveals how his asset finance brokerage writes over 100 loans monthly while being shortlisted for a major industry award.

Ben Squires hosts the Advisors Winner Showcase podcast, interviewing Colin Evans, director of The Asset Finance Shop. Colin's brokerage is based in Bondi Junction with 20 staff, writing over 100 loans per month exclusively for business clients with ABNs. He notes current market trends include clients facing cashflow issues due to interest rate rises and payment delays. Colin emphasizes solution selling over price competition, targeting small businesses overlooked by banks. As director, he remains involved in deals but has implemented an internal credit team to vet all submissions, improving transparency. His leadership approach involves giving staff autonomy while holding them accountable, using the phrase 'enough rope to hang yourself.' Colin regrets not investing earlier in CRM and process development during the asset finance 'golden era' of low rates and stimulus. He advises making businesses scalable, using automation like AirCall with AI playbooks to standardize broker training and client interactions. For lender relationships, Colin stresses doing good business, clear communication, and thorough pre-submission checks to ensure high approval rates. He prefers phone calls over emails to resolve issues quickly. Colin discusses the shift from employee to leader, dealing with anxiety, pressure, and loneliness. He joined Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) in Sydney for peer support. Decision-making is shaped by past hard lessons, and he feels pressure to deliver for long-term clients. Transparency with clients is key, even when discussing challenging financial situations. Colin has seen extreme cases like large ATO debts or unusual spending habits. His core leadership lesson is to get data and automation right for marketing and follow-up. Success measurement still values sales and money, but passion is crucial for fulfillment. He advises brokers to double down on personal branding and be top-tier operators. Future plans include moving to a new building in Alexandria with gym, sauna, ice bath, and laundry facilities to create a community-focused workspace.

As heard by us

A practical look at disciplined credit work inside an asset finance brokerage.

Colin Evans, director of The Asset Finance Shop, gives a focused view of the commercial discipline behind an asset finance brokerage. The Bondi Junction team works with clients with ABNs, writing 100 plus loans a month across trucks, trailers, excavators and passenger vehicles,…

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Why you'd press play

You want to sit inside a 20-person Bondi Junction asset finance brokerage writing 100-plus loans a month.

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