Top industry performers were congratulated at the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia’s (MFAA) annual Excellence Awards held at the Westin Hotel, Sydney, on Friday night.

“This special occasion gives our members, their colleagues and peers the opportunity to celebrate those this year’s industry high achievers,” said Phil Naylor, CEO of the MFAA.

There were 16 award winners on the night, four which were awarded to outstanding individuals and 11 awarded to top performing companies. The most prestigious award, Operator of the Year, was awarded jointly for the first time ever to Horizon Financial and Mildura Finance Limited who were judged as the best from 13 of the categories.

The MFAA congratulates all finalists and winners of the Excellence Awards.

“The Excellence Awards annually acknowledge outstanding practitioners who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, service and innovation in the mortgage and finance industry.” Mr. Naylor said.

“Despite coming on the back of an incredibly tough financial year, I am pleased to say that mortgage and finance industry is faring well as reflected in the record number of awards submissions the MFAA received this year,” continued Mr. Naylor. “This coupled with the fact that it is the first time we have had two joint winners for the Operator of the Year category should reassure consumers’ confidence in the extremely high standards expected from our members.”

The MFAA awards are representative of the whole industry and recognise individuals, small to medium companies, and large corporations.

The 2010 MFAA Excellence Awards went to:

Operators of the Year & Finance Broking Business (joint winners in both award categories)

• Mark Turnbull, Horizon Financial, Cairns QLD
• Peter Schroeder, Mildura Finance Limited, Mildura VIC

Individual Awards

• Achievement Award: Katrina Parrington, Elders Home Loans, Alice Springs NT
• Mortgage Broker Of The Year: Karen Le Comte, Smartline, Cleveland QLD
• Finance Broker Of The Year: Peter Nest, Affinity Finance Broking, Port Macquarie NSW
• Business Development Manager of the Year: Peter Holman, National Mortgage Company, Robina QLD

Company Awards

• Lender of the Year: Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Sydney NSW
• Retail & Wholesale Aggregator/Originator: AFG, West Perth WA
• Mortgage Broking Business: 2-5 loan writers: Great Aussie Dream, Glenmore Park NSW
• Mortgage Broking Business: 6+ loan writers: Mortgage Choice, Brisbane QLD
• Mortgage Manager of the Year <30 employees: State Custodians Mortgage Company, Coal Point NSW
• Mortgage Manager of the Year <30 employees: Barnes Home Loans, Windsor QLD
• Mortgage Manager of the Year 30+ employees: Homeloans Limited, Perth WA
• Retail Aggregator/Originator: Mortgage Choice, North Sydney NSW
• Support Services: Stargate Group, Richmond VIC
• Wholesale Aggregator/Originator: Connective, Melbourne VIC

The MFAA Excellence Awards recognise mortgage and finance experts who display professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, innovation and role-model value. Winners must also show innovation and contribution, not only to the industry, but to their local communities.

Held every year, the Awards are the most prestigious in the industry and are the only mortgage and finance industry awards judged by an independent panel of experts. The judging criterion is set to recognise the members who best demonstrate exceptional mortgage and finance practice.