Overview

Harken Finance is an AFG brokerage led by Harry and Paula. They service a diverse client book that includes clients originally written by them as well as loans inherited from other brokers. The team joined the Stryd x AFG pilot looking for a more systematic way to stay across their entire client base and proactively identify opportunities for rate reviews, refinances, and new lending.

The Challenge

Managing ongoing client relationships across a mixed book — including inherited clients from other brokers — is difficult without a centralised view. Previously, if Paula wasn’t the original broker, she couldn’t easily access a client’s current rate or loan details without calling the bank directly, and banks won’t speak to a broker who isn’t on the loan. The team needed a tool that could give them visibility across their full client base and create a repeatable workflow for regular rate reviews and client engagement.

The Solution

Through the Stryd x AFG integration and Open Banking, Harken Finance established a systematic retention process. Paula now contacts five to six clients per week, sending Open Banking consent requests through Stryd to capture live rate and balance data. This approach has transformed routine check-ins into revenue-generating conversations. Key capabilities that delivered value included:

• Open Banking for inherited clients: For clients where Paula wasn’t the original broker, Open Banking allows her to see live interest rates and balances without needing to contact the lender. This unlocks visibility that was previously impossible.
• Auto valuations as a retention snapshot: PropTrack property valuations give the team a quick view of each client’s equity position, debt, and property value in one place — eliminating the need to cross-reference RP Data or other tools.
• Rate review as a conversation starter: Even when a rate review doesn’t lead to a refinance, the outreach consistently uncovers new lending opportunities such as investment property purchases and equity release.
• Lender comparison at your fingertips: When a refinance conversation does arise, having a range of lenders available to discuss with the client immediately makes the process faster and more compelling.

Results

Within the pilot period, Harken Finance’s systematic approach using Stryd delivered a strong pipeline of both completed and in-progress deals:

• Refinance completed — $500K+ and more competitive rate
• Investment property lead — $1.5 pipeline with 3 investment property loans
• New client onboarding workflow: Stryd as the first step for all new client enquiries

Quote from Harry Bozin

‍"The auto valuation is very good because you have a very quick snapshot of the client’s position — debt, equity, property value — without having to jump between multiple tools. It’s a very quick retention tool. And then naturally, if the conversation leads to refinancing, you’ve got a range of lenders available to discuss with the client straight away."

Why It Matters

Harken Finance’s experience demonstrates that Stryd’s value extends well beyond rate repricing. By giving brokers a reason to call their clients regularly with real data, Stryd turns every rate review into a relationship-building conversation that often uncovers new lending opportunities. For brokers managing inherited books or clients from other brokers, Open Banking through Stryd removes the biggest barrier to ongoing engagement — the inability to see a client’s current position. The result is a repeatable, scalable retention workflow that protects trail income while generating new revenue.