Wizard Home Loans launched in the mortgage market in 1996 and in just over twelve years is now Australia's leading non-bank lender with a network of almost 220 branches.

How? Wizard took on the banks and put home owners back in the driver's seat.

Before the arrival of non-bank lenders like Wizard, banks had the monopoly on home finance. Interest rates were high and there was limited availability of competitive products.

Wizard changed that by constantly challenging the complacency of Australian banks.

Why? Because challenging old expectations with new innovations and intense competition is good for Australian borrowers.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you're likely to make in your life. Of course it's an exhilarating time, but it can also be a stressful and complicated experience.

So it's important to know that the person arranging your home loan finance understands your needs.

Wizard branches are small local businesses run by local people with local knowledge. As local entrepreneurs with skin in the game, Wizard branches build and nurture relationships with their customers for the life of the loan.

Wizard has won many industry awards including the Mortgage Industry Association of Australia's (MFAA) Mortgage Manager of the Year (2004, 2005, 2006,2007, and 2008), Money Magazine's Cheapest Home Loan (for the last six years), and has been voted best non-bank lender by Australian Banking and Finance Magazine three times.

In 2008 Wizard turned 12 years old. Founder and Chairman, Mark Bouris, takes up the story...

What has made Wizard a success?

We listen to what customers want and we respond. Price was, and remains, critical to Australian and New Zealand borrowers so we keep our overheads low in order to keep our prices down. Just as important, we are committed to ensuring our customers have maximum access to Wizard whether through our fast expanding branch network, telephone service, mobile lenders and of course, the internet.

What makes Wizard different from other lenders?

Wizard is unique because with the financial backing of GE Money, part of General Electric, we're the only non-bank lender to combine local knowledge, adaptability and small business acumen with the strength of a global balance sheet.

This financial strength combined with our entrepreneurial branch owners, delivers the best of both big and small business: an increasingly innovative and sophisticated product range, supported by responsive and committed customer service that only small business can provide.

Wizard began operating as a franchise model in late March 2007 for all new branches. The decision to move to a franchise was undertaken after a highly consultative process with the branches.

The franchise model offers business owners a more certain relationship and provides the opportunity to build a profitable business and create a saleable asset.

Developing and nurturing relationships with customers, and working with them as their individual circumstances change, underpins the success of the Wizard business. This has always been one of Wizard’s biggest strengths and will only be further enhanced under a franchise agreement.

Are you going to challenge the major banks?

Wizard has challenged the banks for more than twelve years and will keep challenging the banks.

It's an integral part of the Wizard philosophy because testing the traditional rules between bank and customer benefits borrowers and ensures the Australian mortgage market is as competitive as possible.

More competition in the market means more innovative products and better interest rates for Australian home buyers.

Lenders are constantly reviewing what they offer home buyers and Wizard is a key force driving this competition. We plan to keep the pressure on.

Where is your head office?

Wizard Home Loans employs more than 100 people in our corporate marketing, finance and sales teams, based in Sydney, near Martin Place, at 12 Castlereagh Street.

In Melbourne we are at Level 3, Building 2, 572 Swan Street, Richmond and in Brisbane our head office is located at 143 Coronation Drive, Milton.

Who is GE Money?

GE Money in Australia and New Zealand is part of the global GE Consumer Finance group of companies. GE Consumer Finance is a leading provider of credit services in 42 countries, with assets of US$130 billion and over 115 million customers worldwide.

GE Consumer Finance, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is a business unit of General Electric Company (GE). Now, combined with AFIG, here in Australia and New Zealand, GE Money offers a broad range of consumer finance products, distributed through 12,000 retailers, 700 dealers, 5,500 brokers, and a network of more than 400 branches. GE Money has assets of over A$30billion and more than 3 million customers in Australia and New Zealand.

To find out more about GE Money and the products they have to suit your needs, visit gemoney.com.au.