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
Peter J. White, AM is the managing director of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA). He was recognised as a member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for significance in the finance sector and the community, mainly around mental health and supporting parents and carers of special needs children.
Ironically, White had designs on a different career as a commercial airline pilot.
He says, “I had a pilot’s licence before I could drive a car. But then, due to a risky lower back operation that had a 70% chance of me being confined to a wheelchair, which didn’t happen, I went into banking as a job. The rest is history. This is no longer a job or career for me; it is my life’s journey.”
That was in 1979, and White has since held roles at major banks, finance companies, specialist finance brokerages and in the non-bank sector. He attributes his rise through the finance industry to being single minded.
“I have never wavered from my beliefs, affirmation and commitment to this industry, even when things don’t go as planned,” he says. “Things happen in life, and we need to deal with them and ‘fall forward’ and keep pushing through.”
By extension, White also adopts this mindset in dealing with clients and colleagues.
He says, “I’m consultive, but with a strong affirmation, understanding and direction of what is right and wrong, and I have views as to what is the right thing that needs to be done, which is fair to all.”
Along with his large domestic profile, White is also a player on the global stage. He is chairman of the Global Board of Governors for the International Federation of Mortgage Brokers (IMBF). In his position, he oversees the collaboration between six nations, with more to be added, who are working together on best practices for brokers globally.
In addition, White is leading the expansion of the FBAA into New Zealand and will provide support and benefits to brokers there, along with expanding the organisation to do more for its existing community in Australia.
Illustrating why he is perfectly positioned to be a figurehead for mortgage brokers, he says, “My depth of knowledge and experience is unmatched by the majority of people in our industry, but equally the position of genuinely caring for our industry and our family.
“I want my legacy to leave the industry in a better place than when I entered it.”
White also extends his commitments beyond the mortgage sector by sitting on the board of the Small Business Association of Australia’s (SBAA) advisory board. While he supports the needs and mental health of parents and carers of special needs children as executive chairman and co-founder of The Sanity Space Foundation.
Lv 1, 1 Miles Platting Road, Eight Mile Plains, QLD 4113
07 3847 8119
pwhite@fbaa.com.au
linkedin.com/in/peter-j-white-am-b094607
fbaa.com.au
Peter White, AM
Managing Director
Finance Brokers Association of Australia
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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
1979–2010
2003–2018
2016–present
2018–present
2019
1979–2010: Multiple roles in banking and finance in Australia
2000–2010: Industry Consultant
1979–
2010
2003–2012: NSW State President, Chairman of the Board and National President at FBAA
2010–2018: Executive Director at FBAA
2003–
2018
Chairman of the Global Board of Governors of the International Mortgage Brokers Federation
2016–
present
Managing Director of the FBAA and Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of The Sanity Space Foundation
2018–
present
Recognised in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List with an “AM”, Member of the Order of Australia, for significant services to industry and the community
2019
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.”