Athena: The numbers that really matter

8 mins | 14 Jul 2020

Well a lot of shaking has been going on since we launched in Feb 2019. The RBA has been dropping rates at a rapid rate, there was a banking Royal Commission, a drought, catastrophic fires, floods, a global pandemic and shutdown!

At the end of financial year, companies traditionally report on their financial results. We thought it was a good time to look back on the numbers that are most important to us - the ones that help our customers.

Since our Day One last year we have now settled over $1.6 billion in home loans. We had set an ambitious goal of $1 billion in home loans in our first 12 months, and beat it by 30%, so it’s clear Aussies are crying out for a better alternative. While we’re ahead of our schedule, it’s about putting our customers ahead of theirs. And this is what we’re most proud of:

• Huge Savings: By switching to Athena’s better rates, the average borrower is saving $60,000 over the life of the loan. By using our Home Loan Hacks, they are putting themselves on average over 2 years ahead on their mortgage. Already we’ve saved customers over $204 million. High five people.

• Rewarding Loyalty: In an industry where loyal customers pay more, we are the first, and only, loyalty-tax free lender. Our Automatic Rate Match instantly gives existing customers the same great rates as new customers. And our Loyalty Bonus means our customers get a 1bp discount off our standard rates each year for the first 5 years.

• Safety Buffer: COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of having something saved for a rainy day. On average, Athena customers are now $44,000 ahead in their home loan payments. Achieving a safety buffer like that makes you breathe a little easier in challenging times.

• Great Service: 93% of nearly 800 reviews on Trustpilot have given us 5- or 4-stars. Thanks for all the feedback and we’ll continue to improve the Athena experience to get those numbers even higher!

• Recognition: Awards are not why we’re in this, but when we win, it means our customers are winning. In the past year, we’ve scored these:

  • Fintech Australia: Best Emerging Fintech of the Year

  • Canstar: Star Ratings Outstanding Value - Investment Variable Home Lender; Innovation Excellence Award 2020

  • RateCity Gold Awards 2020: Investor Variable Home Loan; New Home Loan Lender; Variable Home Loan

  • Mozo Experts Choice 2020: Best New Home Loan; Home Loan Innovation; Investor Home Loan; Low Cost Home Loan

We’re proud of these numbers. It’s been a great year for Athena customers. But this is just the beginning. We’re only getting started. This next financial year we plan to save many more Australians time and money by paying down their home loan faster.

These are the reasons people are loving us and leaving us. See for yourself. These are the stories of real customers and how they are creating a better future for themselves and their families.

And a better future is what we want too. That’s why this year we're working towards being the first certified B Corp Aussie home lender. B Corp Certification assesses the overall positive impact of what we do. It means being truly purpose-driven and creating a benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. And we plan to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

It’s not what lenders normally do, but we didn’t set out to be a normal lender!