From HR to mortgages, McBain now solves complex deals
In a sector ruled by numbers and compliance, some of the best mortgage advisers never planned to join the industry. For Auckland-based financial adviser Andrew McBain (pictured) of Biz Mortgages, it all began not in a boardroom, but on a dog walk.
A chance golden retriever meet-up drew him into financial advice and revealed a core identity: a problem-solver with both technical precision and empathy – a mindset that now shapes how he serves clients, manages lenders, and handles complex deals.
A career launched by a chance encounter
McBain’s entry into the industry was anything but planned.
“I really stumbled into the industry – back in 2022, my mum was taking the dog for a walk (golden retriever), and met another golden retriever owner," he says. "As what normally happens, they got chatting and as a result, the other dog owner offered up their time to mentor me as I was just starting out my career in human resources.”
That casual conversation became a turning point. Meeting regularly with his new mentor forced McBain to confront a deceptively simple question: what did he actually want from his career?
“I met with my newly found mentor regularly and one day he posed a question to me – ‘what do you really want to do?’, this got me thinking about what I enjoyed the most about my job at the time, and I realised it was the art of solving problems,” he says.
When his mentor suggested he consider becoming a financial adviser, the idea quickly gained traction.
“My mentor then suggested rather than my current line of employment, I may want to consider work as a financial adviser," McBain says. "I did some research on the industry, and learned it is not just about the numbers, but also about the personal relationships you build with clients, bankers, other industry professionals, all working towards the goal of ‘finding the fix’.”
By October 2022, he had formally qualified as a financial adviser. What started as a dog-park chat had evolved into a clear career vision built around relationships and problem-solving.
Elevating mortgage broking: trust, visibility, and “finding the fix”
For McBain, one of NZ Adviser’s Rising Stars 2025 and an Excellence Awardee for the 2026 First Mortgage Trust New Adviser of the Year award, the most powerful shift in mortgage broking in recent years has been the growing trust and visibility of advisers in the eyes of borrowers.
“This has been driven by advisers who consistently act in their clients’ best interests, helping to elevate the profession as a whole,” he says.
In New Zealand, McBain notes, more borrowers are now actively seeking out mortgage advisers as the lending environment becomes more complex. But in his view, the real value of an adviser goes far beyond simply getting a loan approved.
“Beyond securing lending, advisers play a critical hands-on role," he says. "From providing practical advice, guiding clients through finance applications, managing conditions through to drawdown, and structuring loans in a way that supports both short-term affordability and long-term financial goals. For first-home buyers, investors, business owners, and developers, this often means access to better-informed choices and alternatives beyond their main bank.”
That “hands-on” approach fits neatly with the philosophy that drew him into the profession in the first place: finding the fix in situations where stakes are high, timelines are tight, and emotions often run strong.
The real challenge: aligning expectations with reality
In an environment of fluctuating interest rates, tighter credit policies, and heavy compliance, McBain says one challenge stands out: managing client expectations.
“In my role as an adviser I need to help clients understand the difference between the loan they could technically be approved for versus what they can practically afford, and then set realistic timelines for approval,” he says.
That balancing act is made even more complex by delays and backlogs at the bank level.
“Delays at banks can add further stress, particularly when there’s a live deal with a finance date on a sale and purchase agreement," McBain says. "Applications can be slowed by processing backlogs or internal review requirements at the banks end, creating pressure for both clients and the team.”
His solution is grounded in process, communication, and relationships.
“We are increasingly focusing on proactive conversations with clients to set expectations around affordability and approval timelines," McBain says. "At the same time, building direct relationships with lenders, along with adding more dedicated staff to manage applications helps reduce bottlenecks and keep transactions moving smoothly.”
A complex family deal that defined his approach
One case in particular stands out for McBain as both technically demanding and deeply personal. A client approached him seeking a way to help their ageing parents retire, but the numbers didn’t line up easily.
“The parents still had a mortgage but my clients didn’t have sufficient equity in their own property to resolve the matter on their own,” he says.
The solution required creativity, coordination, and early involvement of legal experts.
“To make the arrangement work, the client assumed responsibility of the mortgage and solicitors facilitated the change of ownership for the parents’ property, with part of the property value being gifted to my clients," McBain says. "Given the complexity and the transfer occurring between trusts, it was essential to engage solicitors early to structure the ownership correctly and ensure all parties were protected.”
For McBain, this was a textbook example of how technical lending requirements intersect with family dynamics and legal structures.
"What made it memorable was the outcome – providing a solution that relieved financial pressure on the parents and allowed them to retire with certainty,” he says.
The lasting lesson?
“The key lesson I took from this experience was the importance of providing clear guidance, collaborating closely with legal counsel, and approaching complex transactions with both technical precision and empathy,” McBain says.
Advice to aspiring advisers: relationships, mentors, and adaptability
Having benefitted from mentorship himself, McBain is clear about what aspiring and new advisers should focus on.
“For anyone aspiring to become a mortgage adviser, my biggest piece of advice is to focus on building strong client relationships and understanding the full lending landscape," he says. "It’s not just about knowing interest rates, it’s about guiding clients through complex decisions, managing expectations, and helping them navigate challenges like affordability, bank requirements, and timelines.”
McBain credits his own early mentor as a key accelerator of his development.
“Personally, I found a mentor early in my career, and it made a huge difference," he says. "Learning from someone experienced gave me practical insights, helped me avoid common pitfalls, and accelerated my understanding of how to deliver real value to clients.”
In a constantly shifting market, McBain believes adaptability is non-negotiable.
“Being adaptable and proactive is also key. Lending criteria, interest rates, and property markets change frequently, so staying up to date and thinking creatively to find solutions is essential,” he says.
But above all, McBain comes back to communication as the defining differentiator.
“Clear, consistent, and honest advice builds trust, reassures clients, and sets you apart as a professional who delivers practical, tailored outcomes," he says. "For new advisers, the more you invest in learning, mentoring, and developing strong relationships with both clients and lenders, the more rewarding and impactful your career will be.”
For advisers just starting out, McBain believes it all comes down to one simple rule: “At the end of the day, there may be problems, so find solutions.”
Stay informed with the latest housing market trends and mortgage insights — subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
