Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Steffan Bastians is a dedicated mortgage broker with a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals. He began his career in banking in 2020 with Westpac and quickly discovered a keen interest in lending.
This passion led him to join Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 2021 as a home lending specialist, where he honed his expertise in the field.
In April 2024, Bastians took the next step in his career by joining Brokerage & Co as a finance broker. As of January 2025, he has successfully settled 39 loans from 53 applications, amounting to $25.5 million, and has achieved a conversion rate of 75%. This exceeded the yearly target that he had set for himself before starting as a finance broker. Bastians is also proud to have been nominated as a finalist for the LMG National Awards for the Best New Broker Category.
What sets Bastians apart is his commitment to simplify complex scenarios for his clients. He goes above and beyond in their property search and often accompanies them to open inspections to provide support and insights.
His clients consistently praise Bastians for his speed, attention to detail, and genuine passion for their financial goals. He has received a total of 23 five-star Google reviews, in addition to consistently scoring 10/10 on his NPS – a direct reflection of the service he offers to his clients.
In addition to being a firm believer in the importance of education, he prioritises his clients’ satisfaction and strives to make the lending process as straightforward as possible, ensuring that each client feels informed and empowered throughout their journey.
15 Fullarton Road, Kent Town, SA 5067
0426 278 297
steffan@brokerageandco.com.au
linkedin.com/in/steffan-bastians-7821b5179
brokerageandco.com.au
Steffan Bastians
Finance Broker
Brokerage & Co
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2020–2020
2021–2021
2021–2024
2024–present
2022–present
Lending Connect Banker at Westpac
2020–
2020
Customer Lender Specialist at Commonwealth Bank
2021–
2021
Home Lending Specialist at Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank 2021: Gold Status for Customer Lending Specialist at National Lender Awards
2021–
2024
Finance Broker at Brokerage & Co
2024: National Finalist for Best New Broker at LMG National awards
2024–
present
2022–2022: Business Development Manager - VIC at Assetline Capital
2022–present: Director at Mach Mortgages
2022–
present
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
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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