Roohi Kumar loves working in Australia's loan and property markets.
"I was on annual leave, but I've come back and I feel, 'oh, I'm back to my place where I belong,'" the business development manager at St. George Bank told Australian Broker.
It's no surprise then that Kumar, (pictured above left), walked away with the "Business Development Manager Award – Lender/Support Service Provider," at this year's Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia's (MFAA) national conference and Excellence Award ceremony.
Sarah Willsallen, (pictured above right) and head of broker distribution at Westpac Group – parent company to St. George – added: "For any BDM this is a career defining moment. For a BDM supporting regional brokers, for a non-major brand, this is simply outstanding. That it has been achieved by such a wonderful person makes it even better."
Newcastle-based Kumar has been a BDM at St. George for more than four years, overseeing the NSW and ACT regions. But her career in financial services spans more than 20 years, bringing with her a depth of experience and insight that continues to drive her success.
Australian Broker caught up with Kumar to hear her thoughts on receiving the award, the role industry events have played in her professional growth and how she continues to adapt to the evolving dynamics of Australia’s loan and property markets.
RK: I feel fortunate that I'm in this industry. I feel so blessed. I feel very lucky. I feel happy; I feel complete. I know there's so many things to feel, but I feel overwhelmed. I love working. I was on annual leave, but I've come back and I feel, "Oh, I'm back to my place where I belong."
RK: The industry has welcomed me with open arms. It's given me more value; I believe in myself. And there's so much learning that I've had from these events. There's a lot of networking that happens. There's a lot of recognition that happens. So if there was ever self doubt, that has gone away because of the reward recognitions that happened due to these events.
RK: Be yourself; be your own advocate. Believe in yourself and take help [when offered.]
I get so much help, and I take it when it's needed. Whenever it's offered, just take it. You don't have to say no to it. You can add your own 10% to it. So, yeah, take the help.
RK: I think it's part and parcel of the industry. But there's nothing that this industry hasn't overcome. Be it COVID-19, coming up with the new processes, or the rate cuts before and then the rate rises that were happening. And finally, the rate cuts that are happening now. There's nothing that this industry hasn't seen. It's a very resilient industry. I think there's always a way around [issues] and the industry always finds it.
RK: I think it'll be busier. Brokers are writing [more than] 76% loans. I won't be surprised if it turns to 80% in the future. It's a growing and booming industry. The youngsters are becoming more educated, and they do want to get into the home-buying industry. So I think there's no end to this industry. I don't see an end in the near future for sure.
