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Michael Volkiene has been promoted from general manager – loan origination and credit to the newly created chief commercial officer (CCO) role.
A former Australia New Zealand Banking Group executive, he will oversee the firm’s product development strategy and investor and lending businesses.
Before joining Msquared Capital, Volkiene spent almost 20 years at ANZ, where he led a lending division focused on growing the bank’s broker channel.
The appointment comes as the private credit firm looks to expand its footprint, citing tighter bank lending criteria, growing demand for non-bank finance and a shortage of experienced credit professionals across the sector.
Co-founder Paul Myliotis said the business was continuing to invest in its people, distribution network and product offering.
“These appointments enhance our ability to scale while maintaining the lending quality our investors and borrowers expect,” he said.
Myliotis said Volkiene had played a key role in growing the firm’s lending business and expanding its broker distribution, with its products now available to around 70 per cent of brokers.
Volkiene said demand for private credit remained strong, particularly from businesses looking to unlock value from their real estate assets.
“These borrowers often require tailored solutions, and I’m excited by the opportunity to continue growing a business focused on delivering certainty in complex lending scenarios,” he said.
Msquared Capital said it currently sources capital through institutional mandates, managed funds for retail and wholesale investors, and its own balance sheet.
The firm has also appointed Michael Taipi to its Melbourne office to support brokers, with further appointments planned in Sydney and Brisbane.
Taipi previously owned and operated a mortgage broking business for more than 12 years.
Volkiene said Taipi’s experience as a broker would help strengthen the firm’s relationships with the third-party channel.
“Michael Taipi’s first-hand understanding of the broker journey, combined with extensive expertise in relationship management and commercial lending, gives him a unique perspective on what brokers need to succeed,” he said.
Broker Daily recently sat down with Michael Volkiene to talk about where the commercial lending market is heading and how brokers can thrive. Listen below.
[Related: Why brokers are turning to non-banks to meet business demand]
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