about us

Meet the team

Welcome to SFP Financial, your local mortgage broking office nestled in the vibrant community of Crows Nest.

Founded by Leigh, our senior mortgage broker and proud local, we’re dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community with integrity and expertise.

At SFP Financial, we specialise in assisting first home buyers, property investors (or as we call them, rent-vestors), and individuals seeking to refinance their existing mortgages. With a deep understanding of the local market dynamics and trends, we’re well-equipped to guide you through the complexities of securing the right loan for your unique circumstances.

Our approach is centred around making the mortgage process smooth and stress-free for our clients. We believe that informed decisions lead to better outcomes, which is why we prioritise providing insight and education every step of the way. Whether you’re embarking on your first home-buying journey or looking to optimise your investment portfolio through property, we’re here to support you with personalised guidance and unwavering commitment.

At SFP Financial, we don’t just help you secure a mortgage – we empower you to achieve your financial goals with confidence. Get in touch with us today to experience the difference of working with a local team that genuinely cares about your success. 

 

Unique Qualities

Leigh understands the importance of long term client relationships and he always displays a genuine, caring and professional approach with his clients. His honest, positive and friendly nature makes clients from all walks of life feel immediately at ease. These traits mixed with a diverse financial background make for excellent tools for managing his clients’ financial affairs.

Specialist Skills

→ First Home Buyers
→ Home & Investment property purchase
→ Rent-vesting strategies
→ Wealth creation strategies
→ Debt reduction strategies
→ Investment property tax strategies
→ Cashflow management
→ Financial education

Professional Qualifications

→ Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking
→ Certificate IV of Finance & Broking
→ Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Justice of the Peace (JP)

Membership & Associations

→ Authorised Representative of Australian Financial Group
→ Member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)

Career and Industry Highlights

With 15 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry working for some of Australia’s largest corporations, Leigh is well versed in helping people achieve their financial goals and objectives. He is an expert in building long standing professional relationships which has been gain through his extensive time with NAB, Colonial First State, Shad forth Financial Group and Sydney Financial Planning.

MORTGAGE BROKER & FOUNDER

Leigh Morris

Meet Leigh, our Mortgage Broker extraordinaire at SFP Financial. A Crow’s Nest local, Leigh is all about building lasting relationships with his clients & community, bringing a genuine, caring, and professional touch to every interaction. With his honest, positive demeanour and friendly attitude, he effortlessly puts clients from all walks of life at ease. Backed by a diverse financial background, Leigh has the perfect toolkit for managing your financial affairs with precision.

Before co-founding SFP Financial in 2018, Leigh spent 8 years as a financial adviser & director at Sydney Financial Planning (our Financial Planning side of the business). While Leigh remains a partner of Sydney Financial Planning, his focus is now solely on mortgage broking and finance, alongside our stellar team at SFP Financial.

When he’s not busy crunching numbers, Leigh is a passionate ‘rent-vestor’, eager to share the ups and downs of his investment property journey since 2013. With a growing family in tow, Leigh’s enthusiasm for life is infectious – he’ll tell you it’s full steam ahead on all fronts!

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to refinance, or building an investment property portfolio, Leigh is your go-to guy. He’s always up for a chat and ready to lend a helping hand – because at SFP Financial Crows Nest, we’re not just about mortgages, we’re here to make the property purchase journey an enjoyable one.

Unique Qualities

Leigh understands the importance of long term client relationships and he always displays a genuine, caring and professional approach with his clients. His honest, positive and friendly nature makes clients from all walks of life feel immediately at ease. These traits mixed with a diverse financial background make for excellent tools for managing his clients’ financial affairs.

Specialist Skills

→ First Home Buyers
→ Home & Investment property purchase
→ Rent-vesting strategies
→ Wealth creation strategies
→ Debt reduction strategies
→ Investment property tax strategies
→ Cashflow management
→ Financial education

Professional Qualifications

→ Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking
→ Certificate IV of Finance & Broking
→ Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Diploma of Financial Planning
→ Justice of the Peace (JP)

Membership & Associations

→ Authorised Representative of Australian Financial Group
→ Member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)

Career and Industry Highlights

With 15 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry working for some of Australia’s largest corporations, Leigh is well versed in helping people achieve their financial goals and objectives. He is an expert in building long standing professional relationships which has been gain through his extensive time with NAB, Colonial First State, Shad forth Financial Group and Sydney Financial Planning.

CREDIT ANALYST

Lyndon Cauilan

Meet Lyndon, the seasoned pro on our team, boasting a wealth of experience in the mortgage broking world. At SFP Financial, he’s the mastermind behind all loan applications, ensuring a smooth ride from start to finish.

In his pivotal role, Lyndon’s eye for detail is unmatched. He’s all about leaving no stone unturned, meticulously crossing every T and dotting every I. By working closely with our clients, Lyndon ensures all the necessary info is gathered and neatly packaged for the banks. This not only speeds up the loan approval process but also makes it a breeze for our clients.

Thanks to his years in the industry, Lyndon has built strong ties with bank contacts and back-office staff. These connections are gold when it comes to tackling tricky loan applications. With Lyndon’s expertise and network, navigating potential obstacles is a walk in the park, ensuring a seamless journey to loan approval.

LOAN OFFICER

Ara Nakayama

Meet Ara, our dedicated Loan Officer at SFP Financial. With 6 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Ara is a rockstar addition to our team. Her main gig? Handling loan applications from start to finish, making sure the journey is as smooth as butter.

But Ara’s expertise isn’t just about knowing the rules and regs. She’s got a deep understanding of them, allowing her to whip up speedy and thorough analyses for our clients. With a background in financial analysis and risk assessment, Ara meticulously evaluates loan applications to make sure they’re up to scratch.

Teamwork makes the dream work, and Ara’s all about that. She works hand-in-hand with our crew to keep those loan applications sailing smoothly. Always on the hunt for the latest trends and regulations in the mortgage world, Ara’s proactive approach ensures our clients get top-notch service every time.

LOAN OFFICER

Mark Anthony

Meet Mark, our dedicated Loan Officer at SFP Financial. With over 6 years of experience in the mortgage broking industry, Mark has worn multiple hats, from loan processing to team management. His diverse background adds depth to his expertise, ensuring a seamless journey for our clients.

But Mark isn’t just about numbers and paperwork; he brings a friendly and kind nature to the table, always ready to lend a helping hand. Throughout his career, Mark has pursued interests beyond finance, studying nursing and teaching English. These traits speak volumes about his caring nature, which shines through in his interactions with both the team and our clients.

Mark’s main gig involves guiding loan applications from start to finish, ensuring a smooth process every step of the way. Drawing from his wealth of experience and caring disposition, Mark meticulously evaluates loan applications to meet our high standards. Collaborating closely with our team, Mark ensures that our clients receive personalized service tailored to their needs.

Loan Review Consultant

Rosalyn Rovillos

Meet Rosalyn, our dedicated Loan Review Consultant at SFP Financial. Recently graduating from university, Rosalyn is fully immersed in the finance world, eager to carve out her career path. Already, she’s making waves within our team, providing invaluable support to our cherished clients. Her main gig? Keeping a close eye on our clients’ mortgage interest rates to ensure they stay competitive.

Rosalyn diligently reviews our clients’ financial setups every six months, delivering the outcomes through our SFP Financial Property & Loan Review Report. These reports pack in everything from property valuations to current loan details and any obtained interest rate reductions. Plus, they include an offer to book a review meeting with our mortgage broker, Leigh.

Rosalyn hit the ground running, impressing us with her dedication to the role. With her finger on the pulse of industry trends, she’s always on the lookout for the latest developments, ensuring our clients get top-notch service tailored just for them.

CREATIVE & MARKETING MANAGER

Giverny Reid

Introducing Giverny, not only the recent recipient of realestate.com.au’s Marketer of The Year award but also a vital member of our team at SFP Financial. As the loving wife of our mortgage broker, Leigh, and devoted mum to their daughter, Giverny brings a unique perspective to our Crows Nest office. 

In addition to her family roles, Giverny is the creative genius behind all marketing and design endeavours at SFP Financial. With her keen eye for detail and passion for property, she ensures that our brand story is not just memorable but stands out from the rest.

But Giverny’s contributions don’t end there. She goes above and beyond to ensure our clients are not just satisfied but excited and happy at settlement time. From crafting personalised marketing materials to handling Leigh’s work and social calendar, Giverny’s dedication and expertise shine through in every aspect of her role.

DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

William Bracey

Meet William, or as many fondly call him, Bill. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Bill possesses the expertise to comprehend and articulate clients’ financial and lifestyle challenges with remarkable clarity. He has a unique talent for translating complex concepts into client-friendly language.

In 1988, Bill founded Sydney Financial Planning, which has flourished under his leadership to become a prominent player in the industry. Serving as a director and shareholder of SFP Financial, as well as a director and financial adviser at Sydney Financial Planning, Bill plays a pivotal role in guiding both organiSations to success.

But Bill’s influence extends beyond his roles in these companies. Together with Leigh and Gary, he harnesses their collective knowledge to ensure that SFP Financial Crows Nest operates at its best. A respected mentor and industry leader, Bill’s guidance is invaluable in shaping the future of the business.

With his extensive commercial background, including ownership and management positions in regional retail stores, Bill brings a wealth of insights to the table. His commitment to excellence and leadership make him an indispensable asset to both SFP Financial and the wider financial advisory community.

DIRECTOR & FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Gary Winwood-Smith

Meet Gary, one of our exceptional Directors. With extensive experience in various roles such as Financial Planning Manager, Practice Manager, Financial Advisor, and Director across multiple businesses, Gary brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Throughout his career, he has shown his knack for solving tough challenges with creative solutions, helping every project he’s been part of thrive.

Teaming up with Leigh and Bill, Gary combines their expertise to ensure that SFP Financial Crows Nest reaches its full potential. His background in accounting, financial planning, and mortgage broking gives him the tools to offer invaluable guidance to the business, ensuring ongoing growth and success.

Moreover, Gary’s deep knowledge of the local Sydney property market, the economy, and market trends is a treasure trove for SFP Financial. It equips our team with the insight and understanding needed to provide top-notch assistance to our amazing clients.