Our Trainers


Nothing counts like experience. The National Finance Institute has selected a team of trainers who have significant experience in their fields.

With an average of ten years in mortgage lending, our broking industry trainers have experienced many types of borrowers, loan products and economic cycles. They know what it takes to be a successful mortgage professional. We have trainers who have been residential mortgage brokers and commercial mortgage brokers. Our bookkeeping and accounting trainers have also had substantial experience and are CPA qualified.

Our trainers are able to impart their real world knowledge, providing relevant information that is delivered in a motivating and enlightening manner. NFI has developed six Training Focus Areas:

  1. Industry experienced trainers: The National Finance Institute will only employ trainers with a minimum of 5 years experience in the relevant subject area.
  2. Extensive curriculum content: In developing the content for our courses, we ensure 'no stone has been left unturned'. This will ensure not only a depth, but also a breadth of information is delivered on the subject being studied.  This means NFI's workshops incorporate the practical as well as the theoretical.
  3. Productive learning environments: When learning in a classroom environment, the venue can have a major effect on the student's ability to concentrate. With this in mind, we aim to provide venues chosen based on comfort, access, facilities and noise levels.
  4. Effective teaching techniques: There is more to training than simply reading from a textbook. A range of training strategies, materials and equipment will be used to achieve effective learning outcomes for students attending workshops.
  5. Flexible course delivery: Wherever possible, we will offer training courses in Zoom/face-to-face, online and correspondence modes to provide the opportunity to blend training into other 'life commitments'.
  6. Ongoing learning support: As part of our commitment to the success of all trainees, we provide telephone/email support to students after graduation. We are available as a 'sounding board' or to help with your questions as needed.

Trainer and Assessor Profiles

Peter Heinrich: Managing Director of The National Finance Institute

Peter Heinrich

  • Managing Director of The National Finance Institute
  • Over 30 years experience in the finance industry and has personally written in excess of 5,000 mortgages
  • Previously State Manager (WA) for St George Bank and State Sales Manager for Mortgage Force
  • Peter is a Fellow of FINSIA, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Services
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)
  • Has facilitated numerous seminars, workshops, CPD training seminars, etc.
  • Co-author of the Australian Mortgage Marketing Handbook
Ray Weir: Former CEO of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)

Ray Weir

 

  • Over 30 years experience as a residential and commercial finance broker
  • Former CEO of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)
  • Involvement with the National Finance Industry Training Advisory Board in setting competency standards for finance broker training
  • Former TAFE Lecturer in Finance Broking Practice in WA
  • Former Finance Lecturer for the RE Inst of WA
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)
Experienced Trainer in Finance Industry

Liz Youman

  • Over 15 years' experience in the finance industry
  • Prior roles included Regional Executive Retail for N.A.B. and Business Development Manager for Macquarie Mortgages and Westpac
  • Qualifications include Master of Education (Adult Education), Diploma of Financial Services, Bachelor of Arts and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Darren McKenzie

  • 13 years in the banking and finance industry
  • 10 years as a mortgage broker conducting consumer finance, small business and commercial loans
  • Prior roles included Mobile Relationship Manager for Bendigo Bank and Senior Finance Consultant for Australian Credit and Finance
  • Director on the Board, Bendigo Community Bank
  • Cert IV and Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
  • Diploma of Leadership and Management
  • Bachelor of Business (Management)
  • Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)

Linda Oakey

  • Linda has 30 years of experience in  the business, health and community sectors
  • Qualifications include Bachelor of Applied Social Science & Management, Training & Assessment and eLearning
  • High proficiency in training & assessment, administration and projects & events management.
  • Fluent in Cantonese
Jennifer Shaw McArdle

Jennifer Shaw McArdle

- Consultant -

  • 37 years in the financial services industry
  • 17 years in the broking industry
  • Big 4 Bank Manager approving and processing home loans and assisting brokers
  • Cert IV MB, Dip MBM, RG146, TAE
Trainer Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

  • Bachelor of Business Accounting
  • Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
  • Member of Chartered Global Management Accountants
  • Member of Certified Practicing Accountants
  • Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)

Justine Tills

  • Over 27 years’ experience in the finance industry
  • 19 years as a residential and commercial broker
  • Certificate IV and Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
  • Diploma Business and Finance
  • Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)

Ainslie Cavanagh

  • 30 years experience in business/management and HR including ten years banking and finance with Westpac
  • 20 years consulting experience in HR/leadership development and change management
  • Bachelor of Business (M’ment/HR)
  • Post Graduate Diploma (Psychology)
  • Cert IV Training and Assessment (TAE)

Experience matters

NFI Jobs .....

If you are interested in joining the NFI team as a casual/part-time course trainer, please email your resume to enquiries@financeinstitute.com.au providing a summary of your employment history, qualifications (must have TAE) and training experience. Financial Services trainers will need to have both training and finance experience.