Avanti Finance Group has appointed Matthew Craig as the new head of lending operations at its Australian motor finance arm, Branded Financial Services.
Craig joins the business with leadership experience across retail banking, mutual banking, and fintech. His appointment is seen as a strategic step in Avanti’s continued investment in operational excellence.
In his new role, Craig will lead core areas of Branded’s operations including credit, settlements, accreditations, and sales support. The company said his expertise in sales, operations, product management, and project delivery will help optimise and streamline services for customers and partners.
“Matthew is a great addition to the team at Branded,” said Liesl Knox, CEO of Branded Financial Services. “His leadership experience and his customer-first mindset will be instrumental in driving the continued success of our lending operations.”
Craig’s appointment comes as Branded Financial Services looks to expand its presence in the Australian lending market. The company has provided motor vehicle finance since 2011 and was acquired by Avanti in 2019.
“I’m excited to join the team at Branded Financial Services and to lead lending operations at such an exciting time for the business,” Craig said. “With a strong focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for customers, I look forward to working with the talented team at Branded to drive operational excellence and innovation in our services.”
The appointment is part of a broader leadership strategy at Avanti Finance Group, a New Zealand-based specialist lender that has been delivering tailored lending solutions for more than 35 years. Branded Financial Services, Avanti’s Australian subsidiary, continues to grow its reputation as an introducer-centric lender committed to positive customer outcomes.
Prior to joining Branded, Craig was senior manager – non-mortgage products at Lendi Group, where he managed strategic sales and distribution across the broker network. Before Lendi, Craig served as chief member experience operations officer at Australian Military Bank, where he led a diverse team across digital sales, credit assessment, fraud, and compliance. He also held the role of head of retail distribution, overseeing all NSW and Queensland branches and contact centres.
Earlier in his career, Craig led Uniting Financial Services’ not-for-profit banking channels, managing $1.2 billion in deposits and $490 million in lending. He also held senior positions at NAB over a 15-year tenure, including business banking manager, state sales manager, and credit manager.
