A finance strategy team is a group of specialists who research, test and manage a client’s lending structure from the first conversation through settlement and beyond, rather than leaving every decision with one person. In episode 107 of Finance This, Property That, Dion Fernandes introduces the people behind Stratega Finance.
Most episodes of this show walk through a client position. This one steps back from the scenarios to introduce the team that works on them, and to explain why Stratega is deliberately built around a team rather than around one individual.
Who researches the numbers behind a strategy?
Craig, Senior Commercial Credit Analyst. He works alongside Dion on the positions that need the most care: complex financials, developments, commercial lending and rooming houses.
The division of labour is straightforward. Dion sets the strategy. Craig digs into the research and the numbers. Together they decide whether the numbers actually stack up before anything goes near a lender.
Why does getting it right matter more than getting a yes?
Because a yes that should not have been given is not a good outcome for anyone.
Craig’s attention to detail reflects one of the firm’s core principles. The team would rather take the extra time to get the numbers right than push an application through simply to tell someone what they want to hear. As Dion puts it, they are not yes people. They are “let’s get it right” people.
Who looks after a client from onboarding to settlement?
Ferry, Customer Experience Manager. He looks after new clients from onboarding through to settlement: the client portal, documentation, lender pricing and the progression of the loan itself.
His role does not end at settlement day. Once a loan settles, Ferry makes sure accounts and offsets are connected correctly, which is the kind of detail that quietly decides whether a structure works the way it was designed to.
Who keeps a loan application moving?
Rome works across loan processing, lender information requests, documentation and loan paperwork.
Dion makes a simple point here. Quick communication matters. When Rome asks for something, it is usually because the lender has asked for it, and a prompt reply is what keeps the application moving.
What happens after the loan settles?
The relationship continues. Ferry and Rome also support existing Stratega clients through their six-monthly pricing reviews, so the structure is looked at again rather than set and forgotten.
Who is the newest finance strategist at Stratega?
Kristina, who joins the strategy side of the business. She brings around ten years of experience in lending and finance, with strong knowledge across construction lending, complex finance and strategy.
Her addition gives Stratega more capacity to work with business owners and property investors on building their portfolios. Like the rest of the team, her focus is not simply getting a yes. It is asking whether this is actually the right thing for the client.
Why build a team rather than rely on one person?
One person gives an opinion. A team gives structure.
A strategy held by one person is only tested by that person. At Stratega, a strategy can be challenged, researched and pressure tested by different people at different points in the process, which helps surface the potential breaking points before they become bigger problems.
That is the direction of the firm. Dion describes it as moving beyond a practice centred on one individual towards a boutique finance firm, where each client has a whole team behind their strategy, working alongside the right external professionals for their wider property and financial goals.
And one closing request from Dion: be kind to the team. They are all there to help clients reach their goals safely and efficiently.
- 00:00Meet the Stratega Finance team. Why this episode introduces people rather than a case study.
- 00:35Craig: Senior Commercial Credit Analyst. Complex financials, developments, commercial lending and rooming houses.
- 01:45Why getting it right matters. Not yes people. “Let’s get it right” people.
- 02:20Ferry: Customer Experience Manager. Onboarding, documentation, lender pricing and settlement.
- 03:25Rome: keeping the loan process moving. Processing, lender requests and why quick replies matter.
- 04:25Pricing reviews and ongoing support. The relationship continues after settlement.
- 04:50Kristina: Finance Strategist. The newest addition to the team.
- 05:55Helping more investors and business owners. Why Kristina joined the strategy side of the business.
- 06:40Outside of finance. A lighter moment from the episode.
- 07:05One person gives an opinion. A team gives structure. Pressure testing a strategy before it breaks.
- 07:45Building a boutique finance firm. A whole team behind every client strategy.
- 08:20How to connect with Stratega. Where to find the firm and the podcast.
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Key questions this episode answers
What is episode 107 of Finance This, Property That about?
Episode 107 is a special solo episode in which Dion Fernandes introduces the team behind Stratega Finance instead of walking through a case study. He introduces Craig, Ferry, Rome and Kristina, explains what each person does across strategy, credit analysis, client experience and loan processing. He also explains why the firm is deliberately built around a team rather than one individual.
Who is on the Stratega Finance team?
The episode introduces four team members alongside Dion Fernandes. Craig is Senior Commercial Credit Analyst and works on complex financials, developments, commercial lending and rooming houses. Ferry is Customer Experience Manager and looks after clients from onboarding to settlement. Rome works on loan processing, lender information requests and documentation. Kristina is a finance strategist and the newest addition to the team.
Why does Stratega Finance work as a team rather than one person?
Because a strategy held by one person is only tested by that person. Within a team, a strategy can be challenged, researched and pressure tested by different people at different stages, which helps surface potential breaking points before they become bigger problems. Dion describes the aim as a boutique finance firm where each client has a whole team behind their strategy.
Why does the team sometimes ask for information quickly during an application?
In most cases the request comes from the lender. Rome handles lender information requests and documentation, and a prompt reply from the client is what keeps an application moving through assessment. Delays in supplying requested documents tend to become delays in the application itself.
Does Stratega Finance stay involved after a loan settles?
Yes. After settlement the team checks that accounts and offsets are connected correctly, and Ferry and Rome support existing clients through six-monthly pricing reviews so the structure is reviewed rather than set and forgotten. Any change to pricing or structure remains subject to assessment and lender criteria.
The takeaway
A strategy is only as sound as the scrutiny it survives. At Stratega, that scrutiny comes from a team: a strategist who designs the structure, an analyst who tests the numbers, a client experience manager and a processor who carry it through to settlement and back again at review time.
The standard across all of them is the same. Not the fastest yes. The right answer for the client.
This episode introduces the Stratega Finance team and describes how the firm works. The information is general in nature, does not take your individual circumstances into account and is not credit, tax or financial product advice. No rate, term or approval is offered or implied. Pricing reviews and any resulting changes are subject to individual assessment and lender criteria. Speak with your own advisers about your position before acting.