Profile
“We have big ambitions for our recruitment program to have an even broader impact on the industry”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street
In 2005, Melanie Cunliffe arrived in Australia and was quickly introduced to the growing mortgage industry. It immediately struck a chord. Having seen how vital property was to many Australians and what a monumental exercise it was to realise their dreams, she seized the opportunity to make an impact by helping people achieve their financial goals.
Cunliffe established Indigo Finance in 2011 to challenge the traditional perception of mortgage broking by adding value through a tailored and strategic financial approach focused on long-term goals, all the while aligning with her passion for delivering exceptional, effortless experiences. Over the last 12 years, Indigo Finance has grown from strength to strength, starting with residential lending and a passion for helping small businesses that has led to commercial mortgages. Understanding sophisticated structures and financial strategies underpin Indigo Finance’s ability to support clients holistically.
A strong vision and a dedicated team have led to industry recognition, including an award as Choice Platinum Achiever from Choice Aggregation Services for the last six years and being finalists for Mentor of the Year from The Adviser Better Business Awards, Best Customer Service Office at the Australian Mortgage Awards, and Residential Finance Broker of the Year from MFAA. Cunliffe and her team are continually inspired by their purpose to improve a client’s life in this ever-changing world.
Level 11, 66 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
0485 840 565
melaniec@indigofinance.com.au
au.linkedin.com/in/melaniecunliffe
indigofinance.com.au
Melanie Cunliffe
Director
Indigo Finance
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Milestones
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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2005
2008
2011–2016
2020–present
2019
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2005
2008
2011–2016
2020–present
2019
Read on
Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
2022
2020–present
2011–2016
2008
2005
2019
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Ranked No. 1 Broker of the Year
2019
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2020–present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Finalist for MFAA – Residential Finance Broker of the Year 2020
Finalist for The Adviser Better Business Awards – Mentor of the Year 2022
2020–present
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2011
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Established Indigo Finance in 2011
Choice Aggregation Platinum Achiever for the last six years
Finalist for Australian Mortgage Awards – Customer Service from an individual office 2015
Finalist for MFAA Excellence Awards – Customer Service 2016
Finalist for Australian Broker Awards – Customer Service of the Year 2016
2011
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2008
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Completed Master’s Degree in Management
2008
1997
2005
human resources | key media
Arrived in Australia from the UK
2005
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Milestones
2019
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
2022
Excellence awardee – Independent Mortgage Adviser of the Year category at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards
2022
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2022
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
Director
Indigo Finance
Melanie Cunliffe
“We are developing a credit engine system to ensure all customer transactions are processed quickly and efficiently”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street
“We have big ambitions for our recruitment program to have an even broader impact on the industry”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street
“We are developing a credit engine system to ensure all customer transactions are processed
quickly and efficiently”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street
It is not often that growth is a problem for a business.
But the enormous volume of applications handled by boutique brokerage Ortus Financial in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last fiscal year risked throwing the firm’s private banking ethos off balance.
In the year to June, Ortus settled 50% more loans than the year prior with principal Adam Rakowski writing over $160m worth.
“Having worked in the broader finance industry since 2001, it was certainly a year of unprecedented growth,” he says.
“The sheer volume of applications is likely something we won’t see again for some time.”
This gangbuster 12-month period resulted in a total loan book of over $400m in just three years since launching the business.
To be sure, the achievement is part of a wider story as the value of home loans settled by mortgage brokers collectively rose to new records nationally.
But Rakowski doesn’t want the business to be just about money or to treat customers like a number, which is a real danger when a brokerage is doing all it can to funnel applications to lenders as fast as humanly possible.
“We didn’t want to fall into the trap that many businesses do when growth becomes a singular focus,” says Rakowski.
“We don’t have a ‘grow at all costs’ mentality – it is sustainable growth that we’re striving for.”
Remarkably, Ortus lost no customers with zero refinances over the period other than existing clients selling property to re-purchase again with the firm. With zero defections, it’s hard to argue that customers had reason to be dissatisfied with the service.
The strong growth was powered partly by the property boom brought about by ultra-low interest rates. Ortus focuses primarily on residential lending with around 90% of loans placed at major banks. Rakowski also has a background in commercial lending and the firm has the potential to ramp up this line further in future.
“We have big ambitions for our recruitment program to have an even broader impact on the industry”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street
“We are developing a credit engine system to ensure all customer transactions are processed quickly and efficiently”
Darren Liu,
Loan Street