Bankwest Broker of the Year, Hall of Fame winners announced
Bankwest’s annual Bankwest Broker Awards climaxed with a lively celebration at the W Sydney on Friday, 27 March.
Over the past few weeks, More than 1,100 brokers gathered across Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney as the premier non-major bank dished out over 230 awards and unveiled new Hall of Fame names in every mainland state. An inaugural Tasmanian event is scheduled for 14 April in Hobart.
Sydney celebrations were effortlessly hosted by Bankwest mentor maestro Michael Ponchard (pictured, below).
“Brokers remain one of the most trusted touchpoints in the homebuying journey, so I’m delighted to recognise their exceptional work,” said Bankwest general manager home buying distribution Ian Rakhit. “Celebrating success is one thing, driving success for brokers is another and Bankwest is committed to making it simpler for brokers to grow their businesses by helping them do what they do best: get Aussies into homes.
Broker of the Year winners
Mortgage Channel’s Michael Xia took home Broker of the Year in New South Wales.
“Michael demonstrated outstanding performance across all key areas this year, from strong business results and high-quality submissions through to delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Bankwest state manager NSW Lisa Daff. “We love working with Michael and his team, whose professionalism, collaboration and commitment make every interaction seamless. This recognition is a fantastic testament to the dedication and service he consistently provides to his clients.”
Beyond Boundary Financial Service’s Vikas Raj took home Broker of the Year in Victoria.
“Vikas stood out across all judging criteria, demonstrating strong business performance, high quality submissions, and a consistent commitment to exceptional customer experience,” said Bankwest state manager Vic Laura Leckie. “This achievement reflects his professionalism, dedication, and the outstanding service he delivers to his clients every day.”
AU Expat Home Loans’ Shaun Rattray took home Broker of the Year in Queensland.
“This well-deserved recognition reflects Shaun’s strong commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for customers, backed by high quality submissions and expertise,” said Bankwest state manager QLD Kerri Siedofsky. “We truly value the partnership we share with Shaun and thank him for his continued support.”
Loan Market Bal and Associates’ Balpreet Bal took home Broker of the Year in Western Australia.
“Balpreet excelled across every category: outstanding business performance, high quality deal submissions, and consistently achieving top Customer NPS Scores. A well-deserved recognition for a fantastic year,” said Bankwest state manager WA Adam Biffen.
Synergy Loan’ Mrugesh Shah took home Broker of the Year in South Australia.
“Mrugesh consistently demonstrates a strong focus on customer outcomes, with a commitment to quality and care that sets him apart. This recognition reflects the trust he builds with his clients and the high standard he brings to every interaction,” said Bankwest State Manager SA Kerri Siedofsky.
This year’s Bankwest Hall of Fame inductees were:
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Shane Petros, Australian Finance Hub, New South Wales
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Chantal Cutter, Cutter and Co Financial Services, Victoria
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Dionne Lee (posthumous), Queensland
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Marco Meloni and Lucio Baroni, CHL Home Loans, Western Australia
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Deven Patel, Synergy Loans, South Australia
Lee’s posthumous award was warmly received by her family in Queensland as they reflected on her personal legacy and professional achievements over a three-decade-long career.
Meloni’s recognition was something of a full-circle moment – between 1989 and 1994, he did Rakhit’s job. Meloni has been in the Australian mortgage broking scene since its genesis and was the first broker to sign an agreement between a bank (Bankwest, nonetheless) and a mortgage broker. His recognition was symbolic of how far the industry have come.
More than numbers
In a broking industry where there is no shortage of awards, Rakhit drew some distinctions with how the Bankwest Broker Awards are determined.
There are no formal submissions, he explained to MPA. Instead, award decisions start with relationship depth and broader contribution. BDMs invite a mix of strong existing supporters and brokers Bankwest hopes to work with, ensuring the room is not just the top volume writers but a cross‑section of the network.
Performance metrics such as volumes, arrears, conversion rates and customer NPS are considered, yet they are only part of the picture.
“I don't want it to be based purely on numbers or purely on experiences. I want it to try and be a good combination of both,” said Rakhit. “It's not a strict criteria, it's not the person who has the best customer score, it's not the person who has the lowest rework, it's a culmination of all those factors.”
The awards are “our way of saying thank you for a really good year, whether that is a good year in terms of (how) you've helped us with customers (or how) you've helped Australians gain homeownership”, he added. “It’s a celebration first and foremost, and naturally it’s good recognition.”
Rakhit said Bankwest is focusing its efforts on delivering faster turnaround times for brokers, while increasing its investments in digital and in-person broker support systems.
“Our focus on listening to brokers and designing experiences together through the Built by Brokers program has contributed to strong momentum and quality service for Australian homeowners, and I am excited to see that continue,” said Rakhit.
Bankwest has expanded in South Australia and Tasmania, having placed more boots on the ground in both states. Three years into the SA awards, Tasmania has now been added to the annual tour.
“We're just expanding, we're getting bigger, more brokers want to work with us, therefore we need to be more on the ground where they are,” said Rakhit. “I would say Australia is a good growth market in general. There's an awful lot of opportunity across every state."
