Majors eye mortgage referral networks: report

Released Monday, a new report by global recruitment giant Hays found that high-performance mortgage sales professionals who have their own referral networks are being sought out by the major banks so they can seize market share from their competitors.

“Temporary recruitment across mortgage operations remains buoyant, with roles in demand including Credit Assessors (DLA Holders), Mortgage Processors,

Settlements Attendees, Unsecured Lending Specialists (credit cards and personal loans) and Asset Finance Officers,” the report said.

Meanwhile, low interest rates are still generating demand for home loans and in turn creating jobs for brokers.

The Hays Quarterly Report also found the job market for financial planners and paraplanners was "buoyant", as banks continue to develop their wealth management teams.

“Demand is so high that often candidates receive more than one offer,” the report said.

In addition, Hays is seeing strong demand for asset finance business development managers and business bankers.

The overall improvement in consumer and business confidence has resulted in an increased appetite for business lending to small businesses, which has created demand for business bankers, the report said.

“There has been an increase in permanent sales roles in the banking industry. The spike in activity has been particularly evident in the retail and small business space,” it said.

“With more focus on business development, the banks are creating roles for top performers, and providing them with smaller portfolios and client bases.”

ANZ’s pledge to increase its lending to SME businesses across Australia and NAB’s desire to be considered the number one business bank is spurring increasing levels of activity in the business banking field, the recruiter said.

“As a result, there has been a marked increase in the number of permanent roles coming into the market,” Hays said.

Hays expects positive momentum in the market to continue in the first quarter of 2015 as companies look for further investment and the banks shape their front- and back-office teams to match the level of work coming in.