Spotlight on Niti Bhargava: From banking to brokerage

Niti Bhargava is no stranger to reinvention. After migrating to Australia, she built a career in the country's finance sector, working at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for nearly a decade, before making the leap into mortgage broking. 

"I wanted to be an advocate for clients, helping them understand their options and make informed decisions, rather than simply selling a loan," Bhargava told Australian Broker.

The move paid off. Bhargava became an award-winning broker and, after almost five years at Resolve Finance and working as a qualified public accountant, launched Melbourne-based GB Financiials with her husband, Varun, in July 2024.

"The name is inspired by our children, making it a very personal venture," she said.

Today, Bhargava's business extends well beyond home loans, spanning financial literacy, business finance, asset finance and long-term wealth creation.

For Australian Broker's latest Spotlight Series — where we profile standout professionals across Australia's mortgage and finance sectors — we spoke with Bhargava about her journey, the lessons she's learned and what sets her approach apart.

The following interview has been edited for grammar and clarity.    

AB: Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How did you become a broker? 

NB: My name is Niti Bhargava. I'm the founder and principal broker at GB Financiials. I have more than 18 years of experience in finance and hold an accounting background, which has given me a strong understanding of both personal and business finance. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping families build wealth and achieve financial security through smart lending decisions.

As a migrant to Australia, I had to build my professional network from the ground up. That experience helped me understand the challenges many families face when navigating the Australian financial system. I became a broker because I wanted to be an advocate for clients, helping them understand their options and make informed decisions, rather than simply selling a loan. Today, my focus extends beyond mortgages into financial literacy, business finance, asset finance and long-term wealth creation.

AB: What made you decide to start your own firm? 

NB: After many successful years within a Big Four lender, I wanted to create a business that reflected my own values and vision. I wanted a client-first business where relationships matter more than transactions. GB Financiials was created alongside my husband Varun. The name is inspired by our children, making it a very personal venture. The goal was to build a firm that could support clients throughout every stage of their financial journey, from buying a first home through to business growth, commercial lending and retirement planning.

AB: What is the secret to your success? Why do you think you've been successful as a broker? And what can competitors learn from you? 

NB: I believe success comes down to genuinely caring about outcomes. Many people focus on getting a loan approved. We focus on improving our clients' overall financial position. Every recommendation starts with understanding the client's goals, family situation, business plans and long-term aspirations. Because of my accounting and finance background, I often identify opportunities beyond the immediate transaction.

If there is one thing competitors can learn, it is that clients remember how you make them feel. Technology and rates matter. But trust, communication and education create lifelong relationships. Most of our growth comes from referrals because clients know we stay involved long after settlement.

AB: What are some of the strategies, tips or best practices for working with clients? And for working with lenders? What are you doing that other brokers are not doing? 

NB: For clients, communication is everything. Finance can be stressful, particularly for first-time homebuyers and business owners. We focus heavily on education, setting expectations and keeping clients informed throughout the process. For lenders, preparation is key. We present clean, complete applications and proactively address potential issues before they become problems. This saves time and builds credibility.

One thing that differentiates us is our focus on financial literacy. We don't just arrange finance; we educate clients on cash flow, debt reduction strategies, business growth and wealth creation. We also stay connected after settlement through annual reviews to ensure their lending remains competitive.

AB: With higher interest rates, inflationary pressures, tax changes and the continued threat of global uncertainty, how do you navigate these volatile times? What advice do you have for clients or would-be homeowners during this time? And how do you help brokers prepare for this?

NB: The most important thing is to focus on what you can control. For clients, that means maintaining strong cash-flow management, building financial buffers, reviewing lending regularly and avoiding decisions based purely on headlines. For business owners, scenario planning is essential. We encourage clients to stress-test their finances and prepare for different economic outcomes. This approach aligns with what many Victorian businesses are doing as they move from reactive decision-making to proactive planning. For brokers, education is critical. The brokers who succeed during uncertain periods are the ones who become trusted advisers rather than transaction facilitators.