Why Kooyong?
We place your financial needs and aspirations at the centre of everything we do. Personalised care. Insightful advice. Exemplary Service. We also make sure that during our journey together we do some good along the way.
> Working in large global institutions for many years drove us to do things differently.
We want to genuinely influence lives, ensuring financial success in a meaningful and positively impactful way.
> Working in large global institutions for many years drove us to do things differently.
We want to genuinely influence lives, ensuring financial success in a meaningful and positively impactful way.
> Outstanding private bank service to ALL of our clients.
Our team are available, flexible and knowledgable. We understand what it means to be time poor and we do everything we can to minimise the stress and disruption to your busy life.
> Outstanding private bank service to ALL of our clients.
Our team are available, flexible and knowledgable. We understand what it means to be time poor and we do everything we can to minimise the stress and disruption to your busy life.
> Unparalleled access to customisable products.
We’ve been servicing the unique financial needs of medical professionals for literally decades. Kooyong can cut through the bureaucracy in todays nervous banking market and customise financial products just for you.
> Unparalleled access to customisable products.
We’ve been servicing the unique financial needs of medical professionals for literally decades. Kooyong can cut through the bureaucracy in todays nervous banking market and customise financial products just for you.
Banking Redefined
We strive to be more than your average bank in so many ways. Whether it’s finance for your first medical practice or a loan for a family home, we’ll always do everything in our power to be honest, reliable, supportive, understanding and flexible through every stage of the process. Because...
> Your satisfaction and trust are of the utmost importance to us.
Your private advisor will work hard to build on this over time, through personal service and highly tailored expert advice to your individual circumstances. Here are just a few ways they can help:
> Looking for Competitive Interest Rates?
Yes. Your advisor can access the most competitive rates in market if that’s what you’re after.
> Is your financial situation unusual or complex?
Our private advisors are very talented at navigating complex financial hurdles, ensuring you get the best possible outcomes.
> Time poor? Perhaps you can’t come in?
We can meet at your home, place of work, after hours... Whatever works best for you.
> Challenging finding finance as a medical professional?
Our private advisors have a deep understanding of medical industry financial matters, so can devise the most effective way to present you and your financials.
> Interested in benefits only available to medical professionals?
Kooyong and a lot of our partners have products designed specifically for medical professionals. Benefits can include extra discounts, waivers of fees & lenders mortgage insurance costs, plus highly flexible loan structures.When people deal with only one bank, there really isn’t any competitive consideration in the lending process. Kooyong access an extensive panel of lenders as well as offering our own Kooyong Capital loan products giving you even more choice and flexibility than one bank ever can.
Our Values
Our spirit of giving and philanthropy makes Kooyong unique in the financial industry. We are driven to realise personal and professional financial goals for you, our medical clients, and with mutual success comes the fortunate opportunity to significantly contribute to our community and to sustainability.
"Not only have we signed the banking and finance oath, every day we practice all that it stands for."
James Ostroburski, Kooyong CEO
(click here to find out what this actually means)
> At least 12% of Kooyong profits are committed to the greater good. Always.
Our Kooyong Foundation has committed to over 100 significant grants across areas of medicine, hospitals, mental health and the arts in the past three years alone.
Our People
When it comes to your exceptional experience with Kooyong, our people are everything. After working in some of the world’s leading private banks, they brought, not only incredible expertise with them, but also the knowledge of everything that was missing from banking customer experiences . Talk to them, we’re sure you won’t regret it.
James Ostroburski
Chief Executive Officer
CV Details
- Industry Start
2006 - Education
Dip Financial Planning
Dip Finance & MBM
Post Grad Certificate Corporate Finance (NYU) (2020)
Fintech Programme (University of Oxford)
Expertise
- Property Finance
- Property Advisory
- Wealth Management
- Financial Planning
- Philanthropy Advisory
- Arts Administration
- Private Banking
- Medical & Dental Finance
A Quick Word
James Ostroburski is Chief Executive of Kooyong Group, a lender that provides property finance and advisory to medical, dental & other high income professionals. Kooyong offers a blend of bank-brokered and on-balance-sheet lending products and supports Australian social and cultural endeavours through philanthropy. James launched the business in early 2017 after sourcing an initial capital pool of over $25 million; since then, Kooyong has sourced over $110 million in funding for their clients. James deeply values the fruitful relationships he has developed with his clients and is resolved to remain customer-facing as the business grows.
Prior to Kooyong, James held leadership roles at Grimsey Wealth (2015–2016), Investec Bank (Aust) Ltd (2010–2015) and Credit Union Australia (2009–2010), focusing on property advisory, private banking, debt funding and wealth management. He is currently a committee consultant for Credit Suisse AG. In addition, James serves as Deputy Chairman of the Surgeons Impact Fund & a Director of both the Jewish Museum of Australia and The National Theatre. He was formerly a Director of the Bundanon Trust, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Institute of Creative Health; the Chairman of Dancehouse Incorporated; and a Governor of the Arts Centre Melbourne Foundation. He also co-chaired the fifth annual Nexus Global Youth Summit – a launchpad for leaders in social change and innovation – at the United Nations in 2016.
Dianne Stewart
Director
CV Details
- Industry Start
1990 - Education
University of Melbourne
Expertise
- Client Advisory
- Project Management
- Medical-Practice Finance
- Banking Review
- Commercial Funding Structuring
- Relationship Management
A Quick Word
During a career spanning three decades, Dianne has established herself as one of Australia's foremost financial advisors for medical professionals, forging unparalleled networks within the industry and gaining a sophisticated understanding of her clients' needs. In addition to roles at Investec and BOQ, she operated the independent financial brokerage Dianne Stewart & Associates for 14 years, providing comprehensive management and advisory services including practical support during the medical practice set-up phase. Her ability to toggle between working closely in one-on-one situations and representing stakeholders at a national level sets her apart. In her advisory role at Kooyong Group, she will offer long-term industry insights and alternative perspectives that will help deepen and diversify the organisation's expertise. Dianne is raising a family of girls and has a long-standing commitment to community work – she has provided marketing and research assistance to women's health NGO Marie Stopes International and is part of a community action group that is working to ensure South Melbourne market becomes plastic-bag-free.
Penny McGregor
Director
CV Details
- Industry Start
2006 - Education
Diploma in Financial Services & MBM
Bachelor of Teaching
Bachelor of Arts
Expertise
- Expertise
- Commercial Lending
- Residential Lending
- Relationship Management
- Staff Training
A Quick Word
Penny can draw on more than a decade’s experience in medical-industry lending in order to help Kooyong clients
achieve their professional and personal goals. At Investec and then BOQ Specialist, she spent time on both the
commercial and residential medical-finance teams, developing a comprehensive understanding of what doctors
and dentists require at all stages in their careers. Penny was considered one of the key subject matter experts in
complex transactions for medical professionals. At Kooyong, she will act as an all-in-one commercial and
residential consultant for medical-industry clients, providing holistic advice and management. She joins the
company after 12 months’ maternity leave and is eager to test her mettle as a working mother.
Jacqui Lombard
Director
CV Details
- Industry Start
1996 - Education
BCom (Accounting & Auditing)
Diploma of Financial Services
Expertise
- Residential lending
- Team leadership
- Business strategy
- Customer service
A Quick Word
A highly experienced and innovative lender, Jacqui cut her teeth at Investec in South Africa, where she quickly moved through the ranks of the private banking team. After a decade based in Johannesburg, she re-located to Australia to head up Investec’s residential mortgage division in Melbourne. It was here that she met fellow Kooyong team members, James, Di and Penny. A stint at BOQ Specialist as Head of Banking for Victoria followed, then Jacqui re-connected with Kooyong’s three other partners and given their mutual love of client service and strong alignment in their value propositions, decided to join forces to develop an unparalleled service offering. Jacqui is the mother of three boys and derives real joy from helping clients achieve their goals.
Huw Bough
Chief Operating Officer
CV Details
- Industry Start
1998 - Education
Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
Expertise
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Management
- Business Process Improvement
- Sales Strategy
- Marketing
- Risk Management
A Quick Word
A veteran executive, Huw has held national positions at publicly listed companies across banking and financial services. Prior to joining Kooyong, his roles included Group Executive at My State Bank; two separate GM positions at Westpac; and Head of Broker Sales at RAMS Home Loans. In 2019, while consulting to medical defence organisation Avant, he identified an opportunity for Avant to acquire a stake in Kooyong Group. Avant’s acquisition of a minority stake completed successfully in early 2020, and Huw has now joined Kooyong to optimise the Avant partnership and to build out the group’s operations and lending capability. Huw was born in the UK, arrived in Australia as a backpacker and never left. He and his wife enjoy spending time with their four children and walking their dog on the beach.
Daniel Pront
Head of Marketing
CV Details
- Industry Start
1990 - Education
Certificate in Marketing
Certificate in Advertising
Expertise
- Creative direction
- Digital marketing
- Video production
- Project management
A Quick Word
Daniel brings to Kooyong, a wealth of experience in both marketing and video production. He currently operates a successful content agency that creates video and social content for broadcast and online and provides content-strategy and marketing consulting to a range of Australian businesses (clients include The National Theatre, Insurance Line and eHarmony). His previous employers are a mixture of network and pay television providers (Ten, Nine, Fuel, ESPN) as well as a number of marketing and advertising agencies. Daniel will strive to live up to Kooyong's strong value system by ensuring all communications to our customers are carried out honestly and in the most authentic way possible.
David Gross
Senior Finance Analyst
CV Details
- Industry Start
2014 - Education
Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting
Bachelor of Economics (Accounting & Finance)
Bachelor of Commerce
Expertise
- Financial Analysis
- Relationship Management
- Accounting
- High-Level Administration
A Quick Word
David has rapidly built an impressive CV as a financial analyst, working for an eclectic range of companies in Australia and in the United Kingdom. Upon completing his tertiary studies, he joined Deloitte Australia as an auditor, then became a corporate finance analyst for mid-tier accounting firm ShineWing Australia. More recently, he spent time in London, filling short-term contracts with private-equity firm Coller Capital and fintech giant Finastra. David learned about Kooyong in 2019 when he returned to Australia and was immediately attracted to the group’s start-up mentality and progressive corporate culture. As Senior Finance Analyst, he will manage Kooyong’s finance function while also undertaking ad hoc project management. Away from work, David is an AFL fanatic and a veteran traveller, with stamps from over 40 countries in his passport.
Natasha Merheb
Relationship Director
CV Details
- Industry Start
2011 - Education
Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking
Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
Certificate III & IV in Financial Services
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Certificate IV in Human Resource Management
Expertise
- Relationship Management
- Commercial & Residential Lending
- Team Leadership
- Credit Analysis
A Quick Word
An intuitive and highly skilled relationship manager, Natasha excels at pairing people with products. She has a decade’s experience in client-facing roles, most recently at Westpac Premium, where she spent five years managing the bank’s relationships with a range of high-net-worth individuals, including doctors and dentists. Previously, as a customer service specialist at the Commonwealth Bank, she expertly managed long-term relationships with a diverse group of clients. In her new position, Natasha will help Kooyong’s existing and future customers navigate the current lending landscape with a minimum of fuss. After working for big banks, she is eager to develop deep and lasting relationships with a smaller, more focused pool of clients, and to help strengthen Kooyong’s boutique ethos. Outside of work, Natasha is an avid globe-trotter: her parents both work in the travel industry and began taking her on trips when she was a toddler.
Michael Gayed
Relationship Associate
CV Details
- Industry Start
2019 - Education
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).
Expertise
- Finance
- Communications
- Accounting
- Financial Analysis
A Quick Word
After a year spent studying in the United States, Michael returned to his hometown of Melbourne to complete his degree at Deakin University and enter the workforce. He is looking forward to building his career with a company that values interpersonal relationships and operates more nimbly than larger organisations. He’s particularly keen to contribute to Kooyong’s philanthropic activities. A seasoned basketballer, he is a firm believer in playing the long game.
Julian Bretillard
Internal Finance & Executive Support
CV Details
- Industry Start
2009 - Education
BIT, Cert IV Business GradCert in Applied Finance
Expertise
- Commercial Finance
- Property Finance
- SMSF (commercial)
- Accounting Practices/Finance
- High Level Administration
A Quick Word
Prior to joining the Kooyong team, Julian spent seven years employed by Investec's Australian division in a variety of roles, including Commercial Relationship Manager from 2012 to 2016. Working alongside senior Investec bankers, he provided comprehensive support to partners at high-level accounting firms, developing a reputation for diligence and courtesy in the process. He met Kooyong founder James Ostroburski at Investec and the pair developed a strong working relationship, laying the foundations for their ongoing collaboration at Kooyong. Julian was born and educated in France and prides himself on his cross-cultural savvy.
Emily Myer
Project Manager
CV Details
- Industry Start
2013 - Education
BA (French) Hons
Master of Arts & Entertainment Management
Expertise
- Program and project management
- Philanthropy advisory
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budget management
A Quick Word
Emily is a dynamic and motivated professional with many years' experience in program and project management and administration and a decade spent working in governance and leadership roles in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sector. Her meticulous attention to detail, and passion for philanthropy - particularly in the health sector - make her a valuable member of the Kooyong Group team.
Emily's wide-ranging experience in program coordination includes working at large international organisations such as Sciences Po university in Paris where she created administrative processes and managed student affairs, and the UN World Food Program (WFP) in Rome, where she managed the creation and roll-out of a customised Learning Management System.
She is currently Vice-President of the Myer Foundation’s board of directors and Co-Convenor of its Mental Health committee, which she helped found in 2013. She is also a member of the advisory committee of the Child and Community Wellbeing Program at the University of Melbourne. Her previous role as acting CEO of the Prader-Willi Research Foundation Australia gave her an insight into a rare-disease research organisation. Emily is passionate about maximising the impact of philanthropic contributions, whatever their size
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