Dollars and sense

Glen Strang likes to help people, and building strong personal relationships is the cornerstone of his successful finance business.

WORDS JO FERRIS | PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN

Mention Glen Strang’s name around the traps and hands invariably shoot up. Born and bred in Tauranga, Glen is well known in business and sporting circles. Gregarious by nature, he’s a “first-name” man. Meet him and it feels like you’ve known him for years – an innate attribute that helps draw customers to MTF Finance Mount Maunganui.

From school to 19 years in banking – including stints in Auckland and playing rugby overseas – Glen has been in business for himself for the past six years. One of 52 individually-owned franchises in New Zealand, the familiar MTF "Finance Yellow” is a prominent feature in New Zealand cities. If you’ve seen Kiwi comedian Josh Thomson’s light-hearted humour on their TV commercials, you connect with their approachable style.

Borrowing money is personal and can be challenging, yet making these conversations comfortable is what Glen and his team are all about. The Mount Maunganui team wants to help. Really help. They invest time into clients – knowing that, in terms of trust, relationships are everything.

Customers trust Glen’s judgment. A recent client was looking to purchase a vehicle that wasn’t fit for purpose, or a good choice considering his ambitions. He is a young tradie and needed help with his apprenticeship. Glen spent time helping with what best suited his client’s needs. In the end, the young man realised a ute was an ideal solution and would serve him better in his work – and leisure – activities.

Another regular client needed a piece of machinery to grow his business. Thanks to Glen’s contacts (he often deals with suppliers as well, which enhances his ability to help clients), the two worked through the most cost-effective solutions.

To Glen, every interaction is about ensuring that what his client is looking for not only meets their needs, but does so in the best way possible.

“I’m interested in helping clients make good decisions and get the right loan for the right reason. I want the exercise to become a success story for them.”

While MTF Finance Mount Maunganui’s core business is asset lending for vehicles and machinery – business and personal – Glen and his team also handle unsecured applications: Finance for things like home improvement, holidays and debt consolidation.

“Ours is a bespoke approach. We put ourselves in our clients’ boots, work through their requirements and where they’re headed, then recommend appropriate options.”

It’s a shared philosophy. Vicky Gorman has been an integral part of the team for almost three years. Dan Jones brings his experience from the motor vehicle industry. Both have the same personable approach, which puts their customers at ease.

This ability to offer flexible rates and provide a loan has positioned MTF Finance Mount Maunganui with being a go-to for finance. Loans can be created on the same day as the enquiry, whether personally, over the phone, or entirely online. For Glen, it’s all about the personal approach and fulfilling customers’ needs.

“People know the person they are talking with is the lender – the one who makes every decision locally.” Glen Strang

A GOOD KEEN MAN

I met Glen in 2016, when he helped my wife and I into our first car after moving back from Australia: An Audi A3 worth about $10k. Since then, Glen has financed at least three cars for us. Glen recommended to us to get mechanical breakdown insurance, which was great advice as it turned out. The car was a lemon in the end and we were completely covered. Glen also financed part of my boat and a quad bike. While we had cash, we were saving for a deposit on a house, so Glen bridged the gap on a few toys.

Glen and his team are awesome to deal with – so much easier than a bank. There’s no forms to fill out and they pretty much take care of everything for you. Best of all, approval is really quick, so there’s no chance of missing out on that vehicle you want.

We have recommended Glen to friends and family and all have had the same enjoyable experience. Glen is a local guy – born and bred here. I have met his lovely family and played golf with him a couple of times, too. He’s a top bloke and a good keen man to know.

Thanks, Glen. See you in the summer, mate, when I buy that new jet ski.

~ Matt Batchelor, Mount Maunganui