Headquarters:
110N-675 Cochrane Drive, Markham, ON L3R 0B8
Year founded:
2009
Number of employees:
52
Phone:
(905) 886 - 5352
Email:
info@chu.com.au
Website:
oppono.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/oppono-lending-company
“We prioritise embracing cutting-edge technologies, creative problem solving and continuous improvement to enhance our premium funding solutions and provide exceptional value to our clients”
Brett Bastow, IQumulate Premium FundinG
Raj Babber
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Faheem Tejani
President
Sanjay Kaith
Chief Operating Officer
Leadership
Raj Babber has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and lending in the small and medium business sector. As founder and CEO, Babber leverages his extensive experience in the residential housing market to drive growth and oversee the execution of long-term strategy.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Raj Babber
Faheem Tejani is a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of capital markets and financial industry experience. He formerly held the position of managing director, equity capital markets for BMO Capital Markets. Before joining BMO Capital Markets, Tejani worked for one of the world’s largest accounting firms. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Western University.
President
Faheem Tejani
Sanjay Kaith has 20 years of experience in mortgage brokering, finance, and lending in the small and medium business sector, as well as experience and expertise in the residential housing market.
Chief Operating Officer
Sanjay Kaith
BRETT BASTOW, IQUMULATE PREMIUM FUNDINGs
Leadership
Leadership
Greg Goutis
Chief Financial Officer
Greg Goutis has 25 years of industry experience in construction, real estate, and finance. He formerly held the positions of vice president, operations and chief financial officer for a senior housing company. Goutis is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western University.
Chief Financial Officer
Greg Goutis
Raji Uppal
Chief Credit Officer
Prior to becoming chief credit officer, Raji Uppal previously held the position of credit risk manager. Prior to joining Oppono, he worked as part of the management team in retail corporate environments. Uppal holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, as well as a Risk Management Certificate and Enterprise Risk Management Certificate from the University of Toronto.
Chief Credit Officer
Raji Uppal
Stevens & Associates Lawyers is a leading and trusted employment law firm based in Sydney known for delivering high-quality legal expertise in the area of employment law and industrial relations across Australia, alongside a proven track record of effectively and swiftly resolving a variety of workplace law issues.
In the past year, the firm’s growth has been notable. It has:
• experienced a 213% growth in the number of client matters, increasing from 149 client matters in the 2022 financial year to 390 client matters in the 2023 financial year
• improved its online visibility, leading to over 50 online enquiries each month and a conversion rate of client leads of up to 40%
• significantly expanded the breadth and type of matters that it advises on day to day, which has increased the firm’s skillsets, diversity and resilience
• expanded its community outreach by collaborating with local Sydney venues for client seminars and continuing active participation in a Sydney small/family business group
Stevens & Associates Lawyers has adapted to digital trends by implementing an effective strategy with SEO and web design, resulting in a structural shift that has seen increased representation of employees where the firm previously mainly advised employers.
The firm’s recognition as a “Fast Firm” attests to its momentum in the employment law space.
“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started”
Wayne Tower,
IQumulate Premium Funding
James Doswell
Senior Cyber Risk Management Consultant
Michael Prokopis
Manager – Southern Region
Jeffrey Valdivia
Manager – Commercial Strata
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
James Doswell has nearly 30 years of technology experience across multiple industries, including transformational IT and M&A scenarios. He specialises in cyber security and has helped enhance software used to protect life-critical areas of National Critical Infrastructure. With this diverse background of technology and security experience, he has evaluated large global corporations and presented on cyber security risk to multiple leading organisations. Doswell’s main responsibility is to deliver cyber risk control for Travelers Europe, contributing to the growth of the cyber proposition.
Senior Cyber Risk Management Consultant
James Doswell
Thierry Pascal has over 13 years of experience in business and corporate banking in various financial/credit analytical and relationship management roles with the NAB and CBA.
After a career break to undertake postgraduate studies, he joined GE Capital as a senior risk analyst in premium funding in 2010. Following the divestment of the premium funding business to the Macquarie Group in 2015, he joined Macquarie Premium Funding and was promoted to credit risk manager, where he led the credit underwriting team.
Following the re-branding to IQumulate Premium Funding, Pascal was recently promoted to head of credit and legal, a role that sees him manage the credit underwriting team as well as oversee IQumulate’s in-house legal function.
Pascal holds undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary qualifications in accounting and law.
Head of Credit and Legal
Thierry Pascal
Cemal Akgul sees the head of risk and collections role as pivotal in guiding and influencing business decisions. He has more than 15 years of experience across financial and government services, most recently with the NDIS, where he was the leading consultant driving the Risk Management process’ nationwide. Prior to that, he served various roles at BMW Finance across the United States, Hong Kong, Germany and Australia.
During Akgul’s tenure at BMW Finance, he predominately worked in risk management, guiding the organisation through seismic changes between 2016 and 2018. In his time prior, he was based out of New York, leading BMW Finance’s American subsidiary's market risk and data analytics teams between 2011 and 2016.
Akgul values a balanced approach to business, encourages a positive work culture and is passionate about teaching and guiding the business and individuals at IQumulate.
Head of Risk and Collections
Cemal Akgul
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
One culmination of these efforts has been the real-world, needs-based IQEdge solution. A one-stop online quoting tool designed for both the Australian and New Zealand markets, IQEdge delivers quotes in under 60 seconds. Plus, the solution offers quote comparison and quote versioning capabilities, enabling users to review vital historical and financial data in a single page view.
IQEdge can streamline and automate application processing, underwriting document verification and payment collection, cutting the need for manual labour and minimising processing errors. A digital “self-service” platform, IQEdge, reduces the need for customer and administrative support. Meanwhile, borrowers can access their accounts, make payments and manage their policies independently and through sales and support teams, which are always available for further assistance.
“We’ve created a quality platform that simplifies the quoting process yet amplifies the customer experience,” says Gordon. “It’s a real game changer.” IQumulate offers an online digital quoting tool to clients. The best-in-market solution enables IQumulate to tailor funding offerings to brokers that align with their prefered distribution channel.
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Culture
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Advancement
What does IQumulate have in mind for the future?
“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started,” says Wayne Tower, CEO. “Through continuous engagement with our clients, partners, marketplace and industry, we will listen to the needs as they arise and position our business to be agile and respond to changes as they occur.
“Faster decision-making innovations such as AI-powered decision support systems can expedite the underwriting and approval process, leading to quicker responses to clients. This can improve client satisfaction and potentially attract more business, with the potential to allow IQumulate to capture a larger market share, whilst continuing to deliver service excellence to clients.”
“As forward-thinkers with a digital and ‘do it better’ mindset, we collectively and proactively look to learn and improve on our customer experience for our clients, paving the way for successful business outcomes for our clients and our business in the coming years ahead.
“We’re excited for the future and look forward to what’s on the horizon.”
https://iqumulate.com/
IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company.
“We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.”
Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate.
“Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”
IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company.
“We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.”
Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate.
“Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”
What does IQumulate have in mind for the future?
“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started,” says Wayne Tower, CEO. “Through continuous engagement with our clients, partners, marketplace and industry, we will listen to the needs as they arise and position our business to be agile and respond to changes as they occur.
“Faster decision-making innovations such as AI-powered decision support systems can expedite the underwriting and approval process, leading to quicker responses to clients. This can improve client satisfaction and potentially attract more business, creating a competitive advantage with the potential to allow IQumulate to command premium pricing or capture a larger market share.
“As forward-thinkers with a digital and ‘do it better’ mindset, we collectively and proactively look to learn and improve on our customer experience for our clients, paving the way for successful business outcomes for our clients and our business in the coming years ahead.
“We’re excited for the future and look forward to what’s on the horizon.”
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Similarly, brokers can expect:
top-in-class service
fast response times
competitive financing options
annual re-marketing of policies to get the best deal
hassle-free claims experience
dynamic brokers eager to impress who do not take the business for granted
“We are dedicated to implementing robust recruitment strategies to attract diverse, skilled professionals who are aligned with our values and dedicated to helping us achieve our goals as a company”
Raj Babber,
Oppono Lending Company
“This wealth of experience allows us to anticipate challenges, navigate complexities, and deliver exceptional solutions with precision and effectiveness”
Raj Babber,
Oppono Lending Company
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Award-winning Mortgage Investment Company Oppono Lending Company takes immense pride in its culture, deeply rooted in the values of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. Its commitment to excellence is present in all its operations, from fostering a thriving environment where every voice is valued to delivering exceptional client service.
With 15 years of market experience, Oppono stands out in the industry, possessing a profound understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and industry trends, particularly in residential mortgages, non-traditional lending, and technology-driven solutions. Recognized twice as a Top Mortgage Employer of 2023 and 2024 by CMP, the company’s senior leadership team plays a pivotal role in shaping its stellar performance.
“This wealth of experience allows us to anticipate challenges, navigate complexities, and deliver exceptional solutions with precision and effectiveness,” says founder and CEO Raj Babber.
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the best mentorship and support for whatever stage of their business or clientele
one of Australia’s most attractive commission rates
Ms Yap’s own experience drove her to devise a viable broker model and commission structure that can support many startup brokers with a fast-growing clientele.
This allows for a greater number of authorised representatives who are incentivised to target particular industries to maximise economies of scale, while a robust IT and support system ensures that brokers can offer the best possible service 24/7.
“Our clients never have to wait longer than two hours for a response, and our brokers are contactable over the weekends for urgent claims,” says Ms Yap. “Our brokers understand their clients’ business needs and pair them with the right product and appropriate level of cover for any foreseeable risk or contingency.”
The firm has made extensive efforts to refine its offering, and in 2019, it commissioned a comprehensive competitor review of the broker network market and found several gaps in the support for smaller independent brokers. This resulted in a significant investment in IT infrastructure to onboard brokers from anywhere in Australia. The tiers in the commission structure were simplified to make it more attractive for the smaller independent brokers to join while providing them Steadfast member benefits.
Regular social events and team-building activities throughout the year foster strong bonds and friendships outside the workplace. The company’s low turnover rate and employee tenure of over five years serve as a testament to the high level of satisfaction among its workforce.
Its compensation strategy emphasizes competitive pay, career advancement, and professional development to attract and retain top talent while fostering a culture of continuous growth and excellence.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles are ingrained into the company’s fabric. While acknowledging that diversity encompasses a broad spectrum of perspectives and experiences, the company celebrates the unique contributions that all its employees bring to the team, which is gender balanced and highly diverse.
“As we continue to grow and expand our operations, attracting top talent remains a priority,” Babber says. “We are dedicated to implementing robust recruitment strategies to attract diverse, skilled professionals who are aligned with our values and dedicated to helping us achieve our goals as a company.”
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a 12-month branding and marketing campaign
investment in digital assets and content that can support the marketing efforts of brokers
strengthening their stable specialised insurance schemes to offer even better value for money for clients
Oppono has actively pursued several crucial strategies to enhance its competitiveness and position itself for sustainable growth, including:
• Expanding product offerings: By introducing new products and services tailored to meet its target market’s evolving needs and preferences, the company has been able to capitalize on new market segments, particularly prime borrowers.
• Building out technological systems: Improved operational efficiency and customer experience via technology integration of various business functions. It has also invested in enhanced technology infrastructure, digital platforms, and industry-leading integrations to deliver faster, personalized solutions to borrowers.
• Growing its team: Over the past two years, they have grown by 24 people, attracting top talent to various business areas, including finance, communications, accounting, and underwriting. The company emphasizes ongoing training and development opportunities to strengthen team members and scale business operations successfully.
When doing business with Oppono, clients can expect innovative, customized mortgage solutions delivered with professionalism and outstanding customer service. That approach is complemented by fast turnaround times, usually within hours of submitting an application.
As one of Canada’s top mortgage employers, Oppono nurtures the potential of its employees and recognizes the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the organization.
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Ivan Verescuk
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Shaun O’Brien
Head of Underwriting
Emily Walker
Head of Strata and Development
Rex Oakman
Head of Operations and Risk
Sandy Newton
Head of Underwriting
Andrew Mitchell
Manager – NSW
Michael Prokopis
Manager – Southern Region
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Jeffrey Valdivia
Manager – Commercial Strata
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Sustainable programs
Overall winners
Sustainable programs
Overall winners
Oppono Lending Company Team
Faheem Tejani is a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of capital markets and financial industry experience. He formerly held the position of managing director, equity capital markets for BMO Capital Markets. Before joining BMO Capital Markets, Tejani worked for one of the world’s largest accounting firms. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Western University.
President
Faheem Tejani
Sanjay Kaith has 20 years of experience in mortgage brokering, finance, and lending in the small and medium business sector, as well as experience and expertise in the residential housing market.
Chief Operating Officer
Sanjay Kaith
Greg Goutis has 25 years of industry experience in construction, real estate, and finance. He formerly held the positions of vice president, operations and chief financial officer for a senior housing company. Goutis is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western University.
Chief Financial Officer
Greg Goutis
Prior to becoming chief credit officer, Raji Uppal previously held the position of credit risk manager. Prior to joining Oppono, she worked as part of the management team in retail corporate environments. Uppal holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, as well as a Risk Management Certificate and Enterprise Risk Management Certificate from the University of Toronto.
Chief Credit Officer
Raji Uppal
Nilesh Patel has over 25 years of experience in helping enterprises with acceleration and adoption of emerging IT technologies. Patel formerly held a position of Advisory Solution Consultant with Dell Technologies.
Chief Technology Officer
Nilesh Patel
Nilesh Patel has over 25 years of experience in helping enterprises with acceleration and adoption of emerging IT technologies. Patel formerly held a position of Advisory Solution Consultant with Dell Technologies.
Chief Technology Officer
Nilesh Patel
Nilesh Patel has over 25 years of experience in helping enterprises with acceleration and adoption of emerging IT technologies. Patel formerly held a position of Advisory Solution Consultant with Dell Technologies.
Chief Technology Officer
Nilesh Patel