Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 50 - December/ /
Bernie Liewis Group’s blend for success
Stefan Lipkiewicz, CEO of Bernie Lewis Home Loans & Bernie Lewis Wealth Management, says recent hard yards of mergers and integration have reinvented the group in a ‘third space’ where no one escapes change.
And this is a good thing, because a culture of harmonized, integrated service and customer focus is the key to the business model’s success.
During the past year or so, Bernie Lewis group has accomplished the merger and integration of KFG Wealth Management and an alliance with Asgard/BT/Westpac for wealth product, platform, services and banking solutions. It has launched a new executive team, leadership team, Board and CEO and the all-important integrated advice model.
An alliance with Cosoff Cudmore and Knox has enabled estate planning, wills and tax planning services for clients, and an alliance with MGA Insurance Brokers provides general insurance choice solutions.
And leading edge software integrating CRM and advice tools for all services, called ‘Avenue’, is in final testing changes – an Australian first, in conjunction with IRESS Technology.
“We provide advice for home loans, super, investments and insurance,” Stefan says. “We have made strong inroads in all these areas, with more than $700 million in new business last financial year.
“Quarter 1 2009-10 has been very strong with
some $200m in new integrated business written, well above last year. Our integrated offer is being strongly embraced by clients with a 20% penetration from zero 18 months ago.”
The integrated offer consists of a home loan with effective protection and a review of their super.
“Clients say it’s a fantastic service that gets your finances on track, provides peace of mind that if something were to happen you are protected - gives you confidence you are on the right track.”
Bernie Lewis is successfully promoting its independent solution as a home loan that empowers clients to take control of the...
