From Local Beginnings to National Impact: How NFAL Built a Business on
Relationships and Industry-Leading Support
When Les Crowe reflects on the journey of NFAL, he doesn’t start with technology, systems, or strategy. He starts with people.
“We began in the back of a dealership with a fax machine,” Les laughs. “It wasn’t glamorous, but we believed in what we were doing – helping people get the finance they needed to grow their lives and businesses.”
A Journey Fueled by Relationships
Founded in 1998, NFAL has grown from a small, two-person operation into a thriving national brokerage with 18 staff and over 400 active referral partners. Les attributes this growth to a relentless focus on building strong, genuine relationships – with clients, referrers, and the wider finance community.
“Our business has always been about trust and generosity,” Les says. “We reward our staff well, look after our referrers, and give without expecting anything in return. That’s why people stay – some of our staff have been with us for over 13 years, and many referrers have been with us just as long.”
Finding the Right Partner to Scale
NFAL was one of the first brokerages to join Fintelligence, coming on board as the second ever partner. For Les, the decision was simple:
“It was about people first. I knew the team behind Fintelligence, and I trusted them. The lender panel was excellent – and it’s only gotten better – but what really mattered was knowing I could pick up the phone, get advice, and have someone who genuinely wanted us to succeed. That’s invaluable.”
Over the years, Fintelligence’s support has helped NFAL grow beyond expectations. From connecting with lenders directly to accessing in-person events and industry think tanks, the partnership has provided opportunities that extend far beyond aggregation.
“The networking is incredible. We’re not just working in isolation anymore – we’re part of a community of top brokers sharing ideas and supporting each other. That’s a big shift from how competitive the industry used to be.”
Recognised Excellence
This growth and commitment to excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. NFAL has been repeatedly recognised across the industry, including being featured in The Adviser for their contribution to the record growth of personal lending.
Within the Fintelligence network, they’ve also stood out year after year:
FY25 Victoria Awards
- Best Commercial Broker: Cruz Blanchett – NFAL
- Best Group (Under 10 Brokers): NFAL
- MVP: Cruz Blanchett – NFAL
FY24 Victoria Awards
- Best Group (Under 10 Brokers): NFAL
- Best Commercial Broker: Cruz Blanchett – NFAL
- Best Consumer Brokerage: NFAL
For Les, the awards are a proud recognition of the culture his team has built.
“I’m proud of what we’ve built, but more than that, I’m proud of our culture. It’s second to none. Having a partner like Fintelligence, who shares that approach – who supports us without sending an invoice for every phone call – that alignment is everything.”
Looking Ahead
As NFAL continues to grow, Les is preparing to hand over the reins to the next generation of leaders within the business – a carefully planned succession that will ensure NFAL’s future remains bright.
“With Fintelligence now part of AFG, we have access to the best resources in the industry. That gives me confidence that our team can keep pushing forward long after I’ve stepped back. We’ve built this business on relationships and support, and that’s what will carry it into the future.”
