Meet Your Property Partners
The real humans behind Benchmark Loans—Perth locals with deep industry expertise, genuine passion for helping families, and a track record of turning property dreams into reality.
“We’re not just brokers processing applications—we’re your advocates, educators, and partners for life.”
Our Leadership Team
The visionaries who built Benchmark Loans from the ground up—combining decades of industry expertise with genuine care for every client.
Michael Chen
Michael founded Benchmark Loans in 2009 after experiencing firsthand the frustration of dealing with impersonal banking systems. His vision was simple: create a mortgage brokerage that treats clients like family, not account numbers.
With a background in finance and real estate investment, Michael has personally guided over 800 Perth families through their property journeys. He specializes in complex lending scenarios, self-employed borrowers, and investment strategies.
Key Achievements
- Built 5-property investment portfolio from scratch
- $200M+ in loans settled personally
- MFAA Broker of the Year Finalist 2022
- Featured speaker at WA property investment seminars
- Fremantle local, Dockers member, coffee enthusiast
Sarah Thompson
Sarah joined Benchmark Loans in 2013 and became a partner in 2018. Her specialty is first home buyers—she genuinely lights up when helping young Perth families achieve home ownership years ahead of their expectations.
A former bank lending manager, Sarah knows the system inside-out and uses that knowledge to advocate fiercely for her clients. She’s the go-to expert for WA government schemes, Keystart loans, and low-deposit strategies.
Key Achievements
- Helped 900+ first home buyers into their own homes
- Expert in WA First Home Owner Grant & Keystart
- Featured in Perth Property Magazine
- Regular contributor to first home buyer workshops
- Scarborough local, beach runner, community volunteer
Our Mortgage Brokers & Support Team
Meet the dedicated professionals who’ll guide your property journey with expertise and genuine care.
David Kumar
10 years in finance with a passion for saving clients money. David has personally saved Perth homeowners over $2M in interest through strategic refinancing.
Emily Tran
Emily heads our asset finance division. Whether it’s a new car for the family or heavy machinery for your business, she makes financing fast and simple.
Laura Evans
Laura is the glue that holds your application together. She’s our expert liaison with banks and settlement agents, ensuring your journey is seamless and stress-free.
Our Culture: What We Live By
These aren’t just words on a wall. These are the core beliefs that guide every decision we make, every client we partner with, and every loan we recommend.
Perth-First Focus
We live here, invest here, and know every suburb. Our local expertise gives you a genuine advantage.
Radical Transparency
No jargon, no hidden fees. We explain everything in plain English so you’re always in control.
Education First
An informed client makes the best decision. We empower you with knowledge, not sales pressure.
Lifelong Partnership
Our job isn’t done at settlement. We’re here for your entire journey, from first home to forever home.
Lender Agnostic
With 30+ lenders, we work for YOU, not the banks. We find the right loan, not the easiest one.
Genuinely Care
Your success is our success. We take our responsibility to you and your family personally.
Want to Join Our Team?
Are you a passionate finance professional who believes in putting clients first? If our values resonate with you, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking for great people to join our Perth-based team.