Non-bank of the Year 2013

Loans.com.au has tangled many times with State Custodians and Ratebusters, but on this occasion it has come up trumps, being given the green light by consumers who are paying down one of its Dream Loan products.

 

Loans.com.au takes out the gong for best non-bank, with one gold medal in the overall category and four in the non-bank categories. Michael Corkill, Loans.com.au corporate and public affairs manager, believes the consumer

tick of approval is a reflection of the lender’s dedication to the customer

experience.

 

“We keep the complex jargon out of everything and have a simple set of products with all the features, but without the big price tag,” Corkill says. “A home loan is one of the most important financial contracts that most Australians enter.”

 

The first gold medal of note is for the best interest rate; a feature that is certainly one of the most crucial for consumers as they battle to balance mortgage repayments with a rising cost of living. A 5.38% comparison

rate for the Dream Loan Express product places it firmly at the top of the field in this category.

 

The second gold medal is for best loan features; proving that the great interest rate does not come at the expense of flexibility. Often, borrowers will take out a loan with a low rate, only to find out down the line that this is negated by costs incurred after other loan features prove incompatible with their specific needs. A thumbs-up from existing customers shows this is not the case for Loans.com.au.

 

The other gold medals were awarded for best variable rate loan and best loan for first homebuyers – which Loans.com.au also won in the overall category.

 

These accolades are more feathers in the cap for the Dream Loan products, which have proven to be formidable mortgage products.

 

In addition to the gold medals, Loans.com.au also picked up silver in the best loan for refinancing category; and bronze medals for best fixed rate and best loan for property investors.

 

 

The inaugural silver medal for the non-bank of the year goes to the ever-solid State Custodians, whose range of competitive products and dedication to the customer experience ensures it is always ranked highly when awards are handed out.

 

Among State Custodians’ swag of achievements are two overall gold medals, and two gold medals in the non-bank categories.

 

These were received in two fields; best customer service, and best loan for property investors. Customer service is obviously extremely important for existing customers and to win this category overall in consumer-based awards is an excellent achievement.

 

State Custodians also took out silver medals for best variable rate loan, best fixed rate loan and best loan for first homebuyers, plus bronze in the best loan for refinancing category.

 

 

The final non-bank podium position goes to Ratebusters, which picked up gold in the best loan for refinancing category, as well as silver for best loan for property investors and bronze for best variable rate loan.

 

Ratebusters has been an extremely strong performer in Your Mortgage awards issues over the years, taking out the Mortgage of the Year gong five times between 2005 and 2011. Now, the online lender’s customers have voted to show that its products are not just attractive on the outside, but also deliver down the track. 

 

Congratulations to these three non-bank lenders – Loans.com.au, State Custodians and Ratebusters – who continue to lead the way in an increasingly competitive market place, which relies almost entirely on quality of products.