Major brokerages unite

IN a big move for local businesses, Nelson Financial and UFinancial are teaming up, bringing their operations together under the UFinancial name.

This partnership between the brokerages will expand the range of financial services and experience available to the Surf Coast, Bellarine, and Geelong areas.

UFinancial Torquay has been based locally for six years, with 24 years in the industry, and is the major sponsor of the Torquay Tigers Junior Football Club.

Nelson Financial, with 15 years of local operations, is a long-term sponsor of several clubs and volunteers in the community and is presently the major sponsor of the Surf Coast Basketball Association.

The partnership sees Nelson Financial integrating its operations into UFinancial, and together they will operate out of a new Torquay-based office in Beach Road.

This means clients can now get access to a wider variety of lending services.

While nothing will change for the clients of the two businesses, partnering together does allow them to keep focusing on delivering exceptional customer service.

Paul Nelson, director of Nelson Financial, said the decision was driven by the opportunity to enhance efficiencies to continue delivering the best outcomes for clients and secure long-term success for the business.

“In a digital world, this is crucial.

“Partnering with UFinancial allows us to maintain our independence and client database while also enhancing our cyber security, resources, processes, and service offerings.

“This was an extremely attractive option for us as a business and, more importantly, for our clients.”

He said the long-term benefits for clients far outweighed any concerns about transitioning to a new brand identity.

“This integration allows us to scale effectively, providing clients in future with a broader range of financial services without compromising on quality or independence.”

UFinancial director Leigh Deledio highlighted the advantages of the partnership, especially the power of collaboration.

“By combining our strengths, we can better serve the Geelong, Bellarine, and Surf Coast communities, demonstrating that we are stronger together than we are as competitors,” he said.

Mr Nelson and Mr Deledio both noted the collaboration allowed them us collectively to better serve community clubs and organizations, as both are contributors and sponsors to several clubs across Torquay.

Together, the two companies aim to set a new standard in financial services, strengthening their market presence across the region and reinforcing their commitment to excellence.

“We are excited to collectively enhance our presence in the region and partnering with Paul and Nicole, who are well-known and respected faces in the community, is very exciting,” Mr Deledio said.