ANZ has a well-articulated purpose of striving to shape a world where people and communities thrive. The largest business in ANZ is its Australia Retail business, who contribute to that purpose by working to improve the financial wellbeing of its customers. 

ANZ Mobile Lending, the franchise proposition that sits within Retail Distribution, is an engaged network of business owners across all of Australia, that run their own businesses while authorised under ANZ’s credit licence. One of these business owners is the immediately affable Christelle Bazantay – an award-winning franchisee with a relentless focus on improving the balance of wellbeing and wealth within her customers’ lives.

“It’s all about people,” she says.

For the past 16 years Christelle has implemented her very own curated vision of helping customers meet their home-owning dreams.

The exuberant, French-born Christelle confesses a life-long connection with nature and wellbeing. It has always been at the heart of her life, driven by values instilled in quite a rural upbringing. Underneath that warm exterior is a strong entrepreneurial streak that was born way back in 1992, when Christelle started her very first business after arriving in Australia. 

“I backed myself, and trusted it would work out,” she says.

This entrepreneurial passion was again evident when Christelle ventured into financial services and embraced a whole new world as a Mobile Lender.

Christelle had already bought her first home and doubled the size of her gift shop business when she was introduced to ANZ as a franchising opportunity.

“I had a love for finance, I love houses and homes, and had a curiosity for the corporate world. I wanted to understand how I could create more wealth and lead my own team.

Even the steeliest of entrepreneurs need support

“We started slowly, working from home, and it was hard. It was a big shift in my brain to be constantly calculating, looking at numbers all day. A few times I thought, this is not for me because I didn’t quite understand things.”

However, Christelle persevered, inspired and supported by the ANZ Mobile Lending team.

“ANZ is fantastic. The team listened to us and was always there, guiding us step by step. Every year we get more and more support.”

She says the exceptional assistance provided by ANZ proved instrumental in helping her achieve her business goals, including what is now, a strong commission based income.

“It is very hard as a small business owner to understand everything, all the rules, regulations, legal obligations and guidelines. ANZ offers support in understanding policy, its pricing, and importantly in aligning our goals and what we strive to achieve.”

This ever present and highly responsive support team adapts to an ever-changing world, Christelle says. ‘’They will often provide advice from best practice in writing loan applications or understanding income ratios, to HR and payroll tips’’.

Always striving for continuous improvement, one of ANZ Mobile Lending’s strengths is its willingness to listen and understand the voice of its franchise partners. Christelle feels this has been evident in recent times given the current focus on transitioning the network to a range of new technology platforms. 

“In life, everyone likes to have a goal. I love to work on what we can do to get better,” she says.

Living the values of ANZ Mobile Lending

Today Christelle feels fulfilled having achieved her goal of developing her very own high-performing team and is a celebrated role model within the business. In fact Christelle embodies the spirit of ANZ Mobile Lending so well she’s one of only three franchisees in the country that recently won an award for ‘Living the ANZ Values’.

“I was ecstatic to get the award, I did a lot of work with my team and with ANZ Mobile Lending to achieve it,” she says. “I’m a perfectionist. I look back and often feel, from where we started, no-one would believe what I’ve achieved, I’m very proud of this, and to be recognised in the business.”

Creating wealth, health and happiness

“One of our keys to success was that quite early on, we created our own Mission Statement, with values as mobile lenders, aligned to that of our franchisor. This was so important. A clear Mission Statement makes such a difference. That’s how people connect with our team and how the business attracts both the right franchise partners, and staff.’’

“I also believe in the importance of rewarding our staff. I have a business consultant who helped me set up the rewards structure and truly cement our team culture. We have a weekly meeting where we share our goals, plan the week ahead, then reward monthly.”

‘’This year the primary focus is on yet more growth’’, she says. The team has a collective target for sales. If the team succeeds, the reward is an afternoon at a highly regarded waterside restaurant in Sydney. 

Connection and balance in life are very important to Christelle.

“I feel like I approach my life in quite a holistic manner, bringing that deep care for my customers to every interaction and building deep client relationships. I’ve developed my own brand and culture,” she says. 

“Being able to uncover needs, identify solutions that help customers build their own wealth and in a balanced manner, is so important. On settlement day, when my customers move into their dream home – I know I have made their whole world. That’s not only worthwhile, but priceless”.

For information on becoming a franchisee of ANZ Mobile Lending, please contact anzmobilelending@anz.com at any time.

Caption: Christelle Bazantay, second from right, accepting her Living the ANZ Values award.