Media Release
4th March 2009
Smartline and Mortgage Force to merge
Mortgage broking groups Smartline and Mortgage Force have announced their
intention to merge, creating one of Australia’s largest franchised broking
companies.
To be effective 1 July 2009, the merged company will consist of 220 franchises
throughout Australia, servicing more than 100,000 clients.
Annual volumes will total in excess of $3 billion per year and the company’s loan
portfolio will be worth more than $10 billion.
Smartline, established in 1999, is a market leading mortgage broker group with
more than 140 successful franchise businesses nationally and a strong industry
profile for best practice systems and client care.
Mortgage Force is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected mortgage
broking groups, having been established in 1991. Known for its well established
and loyal team, and strong presence in the West Australian market, Mortgage
Force has a great reputation with both its customers and lending partners.
The Mortgage Force brand will be retained in WA, with the Smartline brand
adopted across the rest of the country,
Smartline Managing Director, Chris Acret, said both companies had very similar
values, providing a good cultural fit.
“We believe this merger is a great outcome for our franchise owners and
consultants,” Mr Acret said. “It will give us greater capacity to provide our
advisers with industry best systems, marketing and support, as well as
strengthening our position with our lender partners”.
Mortgage Force Managing Director, Neil Pinner, said the merged entity would
provide a powerful franchise model that would benefit all.
“This merger is a great outcome for our clients, our consultants and our lender
partners,” Mr Pinner said. “Together, Mortgage Force and Smartline will be able
to offer market leading solutions while maintaining the highest levels of quality,
support and service”.
Mr Acret said that at a time of great change in the financial services industry, the
creation of a single entity would see the group well positioned for future growth.
“Our new and existing franchise owners will benefit from market leading systems
and a proven model that works. We are able to offer an extensive support
infrastructure, which will be so critical to success in the future”.
For more information contact:
Chris Acret
Neil Pinner
Managing Director – Smartline
Managing Director – Mortgage Force
Ph: (02) 9855 4200
Ph: (08) 9389 8969
Fax: (02) 9877 1182
Fax: (08) 9389 2246
Email: cacret@smartline.com.au
Email: neil@mortgageforce.com.au
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About Smartline
Established in 1999, Smartline is a multi award winning franchised mortgage broking
group, having built a unique reputation for advice and client care.
The group’s 140 franchise offices have assisted over 65,000 Australians arrange their
home finance to date. 85% of Smartline's business comes from a personal
recommendation. As part of every loan Smartline arranges, the company donates $10 to
charity.
Smartline’s Managing Director is Mr Chris Acret and its Executive Director is Mr Joe
Sirianni.
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About Mortgage Force
Established in 1991 Mortgage Force is one of Australia’s pre-eminent national mortgage
and finance groups.
As strong and credible voice in the industry, Mortgage Force is highly respected and well
trusted, built through a focus on client responsiveness, service quality, high trained loan
consultants and a relationship based approach to doing business.
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