Helen Avis
Director of Finance
Helen Avis is one of Australia’s leading Finance Brokers, having been recognised as the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia’s Residential Finance Broker National Winner and State Winner for 2022. In the Specialist Finance Group Awards, Helen has won WA Broker of the Year 2021, National Broker of the Year for Residential Lending 2021 and International Broker of the Year 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019. In addition, Helen has been honoured as a Top Flame Broker (St Georges Bank), Flame Foundation Member at St George Bank and an ANZ premium Broker.
Having joined SMATS Group in 2003, Helen now holds the position of Director of Finance for SMATS Services Pte Ltd, the main holding entity of Specialist Mortgage, and also sits on the Board of a number of the company’s subsidiaries around the world.
She is primarily responsible for managing and facilitating the lodgement and successful processing of all group lending activities and manages a team of 15 lending staff across the SMATS International operations.
Helen has successfully completed her Diploma of Financial Services (Finance/ Mortgage Broking Management) and is a member of the MFAA as well as being the Licence Holder under the ASIC Australian Credit Licence for Specialist Mortgage.
In addition she holds formal accreditation with most of Australia’s leading financial institutions including National Australia Bank, Westpac and St George Bank and has passed her UCCC Exam.
Helen has extensive lending experience, and has been involved in the Mortgage industry since 1989 when she became licenced under the UK FSA, as a Mortgage Broker and Financial Planner. Prior to this she was a Fund Manager for UK Equities for John Hancock International.
She successfully operated her own business working throughout Europe, advising clients on Finance and Mortgages, until 2002 when she was recruited to relocate to Singapore. Soon after, she decided to concentrate on the mortgage aspect of her profession and took up a position with Specialist Mortgage where she remains today.
Helen Avis did a really outstanding job pushing our formal approval through in 4 days. She was also very helpful in advising me of the risks around unconditional vs conditional exchange which was much appreciated.
Dom & Yvette – Singapore
Everyone I worked with on this purchase was fantastic. Helen helped me to find a mortgage when my existing bank said no.
Mark
We have now used Helen Avis twice in procuring suitable Home Loans for our two investment properties. Helen and the team at SMATS have a deep understanding of the nuances of being an Australian Expat and we have always had great advice, high value offers and top notch service from her and the team.
Jacqui - UAE
AWARDS
Helen Avis - Best Customer Service (Individual) - WA Better Business Awards 2023
Best Customer Service (Office) Finalist - WA Better Business Awards 2023
Helen Avis - Top 100 Mortgage Broker Award - Mortgage Professional Australia 2021-2022
Brokerage of the Year (6-20 staff) Awardee - Australian Mortgage Awards 2022
Helen Avis - Broker of the Year Awardee - Australian Mortgage Awards 2022
Helen Avis - Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist - Women in Finance Awards 2022
WA Brokerage of the Year Finalist - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2022
Helen Avis - WA Broker of the Year Winner - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2021-2022
Bridget Bowman - WA Broker of the Year Finalist - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2022
Helen Avis - Residential Finance Broker National Winner - Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia 2022
Helen Avis - Residential Finance Broker State Winner - Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia 2022
Finance Broker Business Award Finalist - Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia 2022
Helen Avis - Best Residential Broker Finalist - The Advisor Better Business Awards 2022
Helen Avis - National Broker of the Year for Residential Lending - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2021
International Brokerage of the Year - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2016-2019
Helen Avis - International Broker of the Year - Specialist Finance Group Awards 2016-2019
Helen Avis - Flame Foundation Member St George Bank
Helen Avis - ANZ premium Broker
Helen Avis - Top Flame Broker St George Bank 2013-2014
