Jess Matthews is building her brand one day at a time.
After spending more than 14 years at Commonwealth Bank (CBA), including the last four as a BDM, she decided to take the leap in September to open her own firm: Settled Property Finance.
Matthews now works with clients all over Australia, on both residential and commercial loans.
Australian Broker sat down with the Central Coast broker to hear more about her latest business venture and the secrets behind her success.
The following interview has been edited for grammar and clarity.
JM: Property has always been my passion, from investing, renovating or construction, to landscape and interior design. I’m proud to say I bought my first property at the age of 21 and built a successful multimillion-dollar portfolio. So when I stepped into home lending, it felt like the perfect fit. I could finally combine my personal obsession with my professional path.
I've spent nearly 15 years in finance, starting as a teller at Commonwealth Bank and working my way up. As a premier banker, I drew on my own investment experience to help clients build theirs, which was incredibly rewarding. Later, as a NSW relationship manager at CBA, I supported hundreds of brokers with complex lending scenarios, a role that sharpened my technical skills and led to some truly meaningful friendships.
JM: Starting my own firm has been a long term dream. After navigating some incredibly challenging years in my personal life, I came out the other side with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. I knew it was time; 2025 would be my fresh start, and I was ready to back myself. So I took the leap, and here we are. Settled Property Finance is up and running. It’s been one of the most empowering decisions I’ve ever made.
JM: I specialize in both residential and commercial lending. Having many years experience in the industry, I’ve built a strong network of trusted professionals: bankers, accountants, financial planners, buyers’ agents and real estate experts, all of whom help me deliver a truly holistic approach. Whether it’s a first home, an investment portfolio, self-managed super funds (SMSFs) or business finance, I can tap into that network to negotiate the best outcomes. Having experienced experts backing my clients’ goals makes all the difference.
JM: I work with clients all over Australia. One of the great privileges of this industry is that most of my work can be done remotely — through phone, email or video calls — which means I can support clients no matter where they’re based. Having experience across different states is a real advantage, too. The buying process and mortgage terms can vary significantly depending on location, so it’s important to understand those differences to guide clients confidently through each step.
JM: One of the most important things I focus on — and something I believe sets me apart — is communication. I make it a priority to keep my clients informed at every stage of the process. Even if there’s no major update, I’ll still check in to let them know where things are at, what we’re waiting on, or what’s coming next. That kind of proactive follow-up builds trust and helps reduce stress, especially during what can be a really emotional time.
When it comes to working with lenders, I take the same approach: clear, consistent communication and strong follow-through. I’ve built great relationships with credit teams and BDMs over the years, and that helps me advocate more effectively for my clients. It’s about being thorough, responsive and respectful on both sides of the table.
