Profile
“When times get tough, it is just right for us. I will not allow myself to be outworked by anyone else in this industry”
Christian Groomes, Lima One Capital
Cory Bannister is the senior vice president and chief lending officer at La Trobe Financial.
Bannister has been integral to the growth of La Trobe Financial. When he joined as a lending manager back in 2000, it was a relatively unknown niche non-bank financial institution in Australia but has now transformed into a well-known brand respected on a global scale as one of the country’s leading alternative asset managers.
Bannister drives La Trobe Financial’s core mission to:
• help clients find financial solutions
• enable them to obtain financial independence
• position the firm to target the “complex credit” segment of the market
• share the conviction that home ownership is a foundation for financial security
A significant part of his success is down to his mindset and vision.
Bannister says, “I like to think I have a curious and open mind that is always looking for ways to improve. Whether that is to improve myself, the team or our products and procedures to ultimately help more people – never stand still. I’ve always found that the secret is to surround yourself with great people; stay close to them, but let them show their brilliance.”
A key factor in Bannister’s leadership is his willingness to empower and trust those around him. He has been able to excel in designing and creating an environment for those at La Trobe Financial to thrive.
“I often say to the team that they are the ones writing the amazing stories every day; I am just the lucky guy that gets to stand out front and read them aloud,” he says. “Without question, the reason we stand out is due to their dedication and commitment.”
Spearheading this growth, Bannister was mindful to ensure the firm was ready to move on to the next stages when opportunities arose.
“I would say I have always been ‘patiently impatient’ – being impatient to do the work and attack the goal but recognising the need to patiently await the results at times,” he says. “As to how I approach my role, I think of the Dwight D. Eisenhower quote: ‘Take your job seriously, but not yourself.’ I think this is more important today than ever.”
A challenge Bannister admits of his role is to balance the dynamics and closeness of a smaller team as it has continued to grow into a larger team. He achieves this by displaying and instilling the need for effective communication between colleagues. He is also mindful of the underlying impact of his and the firm’s responsibilities.
“I’d like to be remembered as being a ‘champion’ of the underserved or overlooked borrower segments in the mortgage industry,” he says. “Knowing that because of your work there are now many more people able to raise their families in their own homes, able to build their businesses to support their families and able to build a nice nest egg for their retirement – knowing that you played a small part in making a difference for others is extremely rewarding.”
Level 25, 333 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC
1800 818 818
cbannister@latrobefinancial.com.au
linkedin.com/in/cbannister
latrobefinancial.com.au
Cory Bannister
Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
La Trobe Financial
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“I want to leave the legacy of someone who gave it all they had for their clients”
Christian Groomes, Lima One Capital
2000–2012
2015
2017
2019–2022
2023
2000: Joined La Trobe Financial
2009: Promoted to Portfolio Manager at La Trobe Financial
2011: Appointed as La Trobe Financial’s Head of Credit Fund
2012: Appointed as La Trobe Financial’s Head of Distribution
2000–
2012
Appointed as La Trobe Financial’s Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
Awarded in the Financial Standard’s Power50 list of the most influential social media users in finance
2015
Recognised on MPA’s Hot List
2017
Recognised as one of MPA’s Global 100 – Mortgage leaders
2019–
2022
La Trobe Financial – recognised as one of MPA’s Top Mortgage Employers
Recognised as one of MPA’s Global 100 – Mortgage leaders
2023
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
He says, “I believe that my strongest quality professionally is being able to build long-lasting relationships. I want to be able to help clients in the long run, not just in a single transaction. The way that I have been able to connect with clients has helped me grow in this industry.”
Again, as a legacy from his sporting background, Groomes views his role as morphing into an addition to his clients’ businesses. For him, it’s about going beyond arranging financing and being a trusted ally.
“One of my accomplishments is helping clients grow their businesses from the ground up,” Groomes says. “We are not just a lender to clients but an extension of their business. We provide the capital to fund projects and grow their businesses. I love day to day seeing clients be able to grow and scale their businesses in the right way.”
A key metric for Groomes is the speed of his communications, as he makes a point of being extremely responsive. He also prioritizes staying in touch with clients, updating them on developments, and being there to offer advice when required.
While he has many decades left to shine, Groomes has made a sparkling start to his career. Due to his mindset being that of an athlete, he is driven to keep achieving more and continually raising the bar.
He says, “I want to leave the legacy of someone who gave it all they had for their clients. I push hard for my clients, both internally and externally, to be able to get deals done. I want to be able to say at the end of the day that I gave it my all, not for myself but for my clients.”