- Full name: Ditte Moller
- Job title: Founder and senior mortgage broker
- Company: Viking Mortgages
- Number of years in the industry: 11
- Location: Noosa, Queensland
How and when did you become a mortgage broker?
I became a broker in late 2014, when I started Viking Mortgages. I didn’t come from a banking and finance background – I came from running a drilling company in the mines. In between, I also ran a lead generation firm that generated leads for mortgage brokers, which gave me the idea to become a broker myself. During my time FIFO in mining, I completed my Cert IV and Diploma and started the business. Little did I know how hard it was going to be.
In your opinion, what has been the most positive development in broking?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the best and most exciting change because it enables us to do our job better, more compliantly, and more quickly, so we can spend more time looking after our clients. I also think COVID made it more acceptable to work from home and to have virtual meetings with clients, which has enabled us to be much more efficient.
What challenges do you see currently facing the industry, and what solutions would you propose?
Rate rises are always a bit of a challenge because they can slow the industry down and create fear in the market. There’s also a lot of chatter about AI making brokers less important, but I don’t agree. I think, more and more, we’re a very important part of the puzzle because we can explain things to clients and look outside the square for solutions based on our knowledge of their situation.
Can you share a memorable or challenging experience from your career as a broker and the lessons you gained from it?
A defining experience early in my career was realising just how much there was to learn about being a broker. When I first started, I didn’t fully understand what the role truly involved, so I made a conscious decision to immerse myself in the industry. I read every article on broking I could find, attended professional development days, and went to every broker information session available to me. I wanted to deeply understand not just the mechanics of lending, but what it really meant to be a trusted adviser to clients.
One of the most valuable parts of that journey was having a strong mentor. They guided me through complex scenarios, helped me understand how to build a sustainable business, and showed me how to support clients through challenging situations. That experience reinforced how critical mentorship is in developing a successful and ethical broker.