I’ve Sat on Both Sides of the Broker’s Desk
When Matthew Ford founded Finestream in 2011, the goals were simple. Yet at the time, they felt monumental.
“My first goal was to settle an asset finance deal without needing any rework. My second was to settle four deals per month,” he recalls. “That meant convincing four people to trust a 20-year-old kid to put together their finance deal. It was terrifying.”
With no mentor to guide him, Matthew learned by doing. Every mistake became a lesson, and every lesson became a stepping stone. His commitment to mastering the basics and outworking the competition laid the foundation for a business that would grow far beyond his early expectations.
“There was no grand marketing plan. It was one conversation at a time, one coffee at a time, and one 14-hour day after another. Slowly, one client became two, then four, and the business began to take shape.”
Those early days were a test of grit. The wins were euphoric, and the setbacks deeply personal. But the vision was always clear: to build something bigger than himself. A firm where people could grow, thrive, and become the best version of themselves through the work they did together.
That long-term vision began to materialise in 2014 when Matthew launched the home loan division. The idea was sparked by a conversation with a stranger on a plane. With the asset finance business running at 10 deals a month, it provided the stability needed to support the new venture.
“Our original goal for the home loan business was to settle $1 million per month and one day manage a $50 million loan book. At the time, those targets felt like a pipedream. But we committed and kept building, always anchored to the principle of doing the basics well.”
Today, Finestream is exactly what Matthew once sketched out in his old notebooks. It is a multi-sector finance firm with a strong culture, exceptional people, and a commitment to delivering industry-leading service. The sign from the original 24-square-metre office still hangs in the kitchen as a daily reminder of where it all began.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built. The values we set out to cultivate are still at the heart of everything we do. Watching our team grow into confident, capable professionals is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.”
Looking ahead, the vision is even bigger.
“I’m so excited about what’s next, particularly as we work to define and lead the emerging FinBase sector. This business is on track to be one of the best in its field of a generation. I look forward to making that happen with all of you.”
From one client at a time to a diversified powerhouse, Finestream’s journey is a testament to persistence, people, and doing the basics brilliantly.
