Home loan platform and retail broker network Lendi Group has appointed Steph Kay as its new head of strategic partnerships distribution.
Kay (pictured), who spent more than seven years at Commonwealth Bank in various roles including national strategic partnerships manager, will spearhead Lendi’s operational and strategic relationships between its lender and strategic partners, maximising mutual benefits, efficiencies, and broker service delivery.
Kay boasts more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector, including 10 years working for major players across the mortgage broking industry, such as CBA and St. George Bank.
She joins Lendi, which now enjoys a powerhouse position in the home loan industry after combining Aussie’s iconic brand with cutting-edge Lendi technology and processes.
Kay will be responsible for the end-to-end development and execution of Lendi’s biennial partnership program, as well as all elements of lender and broker engagement activity, data and insights and change management delivery.
Brad Cramb, CEO of distribution at Lendi, said he was thrilled to welcome Kay as the newest leader within the distribution network.
“At Lendi Group – the distribution arm of the business in particular is gearing up for a new era of growth, following the recent surge in home loan activity, which has seen the Aussie brand experience its best financial year on record in 2021 – as we look to scale a number of support mechanisms for our expansive network of brokers, allowing them to help save time and improve customer interactions,” Cramb said.
"Steph takes on a critical role at an important time for the group. With her extensive and broad range of experience and proven ability to deliver growth, she will be a valuable asset for our business and brand.”
Kay held senior leadership roles at CBA across partnerships and sponsorships, change, communications and events within the home buying and third-party banking space.
Prior to CBA, Kay worked at St. George Bank and American Express. She was in charge of the communication channels for St. George Banking Group Mortgage Broking, involving more than 10,000 mortgage brokers. Kay was also business partner communications to aggregation companies and internal communication for the national mortgage broking team across St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA.
Regarding her appointment, Kay said Lendi’s strong organisational values and vision for its future in the industry drew her to the role.
“I am excited to join Lendi Group and be a part of its journey as it breaks down barriers and changes the way individuals organise, finance, lend and buy property ... for good,” Kay said.
Kay said lender partners were a huge part of the success of Lendi and Aussie.
“I’ve been working for lenders in that space for last 12 years so I can bring their perspective,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with lenders to help them deliver on their strategic priorities and deepen and strengthen their relationships to provide great outcomes for their clients.”
Kay said brokers valued the importance of their lender panel and she would be focusing on the partnership programs Lendi runs with lenders and brokers.
“We want to make the program accessible to lender partners on a state and national level to show brokers what products, services and offers are available to get the best outcomes for their customers,” she said.
“The Lendi Group is about people, products, and human lead technology they are delivering to marketplace all working together changing the way Australians experience property lending.”
Lendi was now looking to deliver the first in-person Aussie Home Loans national conference on the Gold Coast in October.
“We will have key-note speakers, workshops for brokers to help build their businesses post COVID, and how they can continue to grow after coming off the back of record years and keep the momentum going,” Kay said.
