Graeme has worked for nearly 20 years in the finance and banking industry. His team at Infinity Group Australia, where he is CEO, takes a different approach to mortgages, applying personalisation and accountability. In the typical banking realm, often times clients are forced to choose from a one-size-fits-all package for financing. In most cases, these packages do not take into account a borrower’s situation, income, resources and individual needs. Graeme was very familiar with this pattern, having worked for nearly a decade within a Major 4 Australian bank. During this time, Graeme continuously met with clients who were struggling with their debts and mortgage payments. The combination of poor planning and a lack of mortgage options was creating mountains of debt for everyday home buyers. It was a common scenario where he would meet clients who took out mortgages and after six to eight years, they had still not reduced their principle and were paying more than the original loan. He could see how financial hardships create overwhelming stress on individuals, but also in marriages and family life.

Many brokers typically become immune or stoic to these conversations, but as Graeme heard their stories, he became passionate about finding solutions. His desire to help stems from his own humble beginnings, raised by his grandparents and a single mother. While he knew he always wanted to work in finance, he was dedicating his entire work week to interviewing families who were buried under debts or enduring some type of financial struggle. He became increasingly driven to wanting to help individuals and families take control of their finances, relieving their burdens. This was the founding mission of Infinity Group Australia, to provide a better option for home buyers.

At the heart of Infinity, Graeme and his partner Rebecca Walker wanted to challenge widely accepted standards for mortgages. These standards are what often creates the cycle of debt that is created by standard lending options.
• Why is a standard home loan over 30 years? Can it be less, closer to 10-15 years?
• What is the need for offsets accounts, and who do they benefit? If consumers have direct access to their funds and by human nature, spend all the money they can access, are banks encouraging the excess spending?
• Why are credit card limit allowed to be set beyond the consumer’s household monthly net income?
• Why are consumers not educated and encouraged to set a household budget beyond their fixed expenses?

Infinity Group starts by getting to know their clients on a personal level. Each individual is different, so the personal finance trainers at Infinity go through a series of consultations, covering the financial history, struggles, income and monthly payments. As a team, the client and trainer paint a very clear picture of spending habits and a monthly budget. They then work together on a plan and a new regimen that is suitable for the client’s needs, depending on household income, bills, and family obligations. Arriving at this point requires at least 2-3 consultation sessions, so the plans that are created are extremely personalised and the goals are achievable.

Each client plan centers around eliminating discretionary spending and making every single dollar count. Graeme says there is a fair amount of “tough love” involved, but it is what many clients need to make the necessary changes and to put an end to their destructive spending habits. Graeme and the Infinity trainers want clients to understand that beyond paying monthly bills for family needs like food and utilities, every extra dollar earned can either be spent wastefully or paid towards their mortgage. Paying a little (or a lot!) extra each month can really make a difference in the long run.

One setback that many clients face is spending beyond their monthly income and using credit cards. This simply creates more debt, interest charges and never-ending bills. This is a tough habit to break, but Graeme insists, “If you can’t pay cash, then you’re not buying it!” By relying more on cash in hand, understanding that every dollar has a purpose, clients can break the cycle and reduce impulsive spending. They are kept within their limits of monthly spending and within just 30 days, begin to see improvements and hit goals.

Like personal training, the one-on-one coaching is vital for success. It is another aspect that sets Infinity apart from traditional lending services. Most mortgage brokers will work with clients to settle their initial deals, and then they will only do a few annual check-ins or phone calls afterwards. Infinity sees their relationships as partnerships, with a common goal. Their personal fitness trainers provide detailed monthly reports and they are always available for regular conversations on progress and to answer any questions. Every client is held accountable for spending and is responsible for his or her own finances. Infinitely also provides 24/7 access to the latest budget management software, such as My Prosperity and Fintech. This open-book strategy allows both sides to monitor cash flows, account balances, asset values as well as taxes. Clients are given an education in money management, and it is not just for current spending, but for saving and forecasting for the future. There is ongoing support and encouragement from Infinity, as clients learn to take control and become debt free.

The results for Infinity clients speak for themselves. With the personalised training for “financial fitness”, clients are seeing results in as little as 90 days. Spending habits change within the first month, but clients are creating the ability to repay more principal within the first three months with the program, than they had in the entire 12 months with their previous bank loans. On average, Infinity clients pay off $50,000 in debt principal per year, which is 5x more than the average Australian borrowers.

With a long string of success stories from clients and Graeme Holm reviews all across Australia, and this keen focus and high level of customer service, Infinity is frequently recognised as on of the best mortgage brokerage firms in the country, winning The Adviser’s prestigious 2018 “New office of the year award. More recently, Graeme was named ‘Finance Broker of the Year - 2019 by The Adviser, and was recognized by Australian Financial Review as the #4th most innovative financial services company, on the publications annual list moving up 54 places from 58th in 2018. Graeme has also become an international best-selling author, sharing his secrets for financial success with his self-help book The Money Mentor: How to Pay Off Your Mortgage in as Little as 7 Years Without Becoming a Hermit.

Australian home owners who are struggling with their mortgages can also attend Graeme intensive seminars on money management. In his two-day Masterclasses Graeme gives a crash course in getting out from under mounds of debt and building financial freedom. On average, students of the course have saved an average of $250,000 over the term of their mortgage. These students often become clients for Infinity Group, and gain a long-term partner in creating financial success and building wealth for the future.

The results from Infinity are not too good to be true, though they may sound like they are. Graeme has countless testimonials from clients who have mastered the skill of money management. There are some who have not only paid off their mortgages in as little as 7-10 years, but have been able to afford a second or third homes or future investments. For those who are curious or are ready to learn more about taking control of their finances and become debt-free, sign up for a complimentary consultation with Infinity Group.

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