VicWest Finance

09/12/2025

once again,we see why we must have more regulation between you, the all important constomer and the big banks. left with a little rope, see how quick they are to run as fast as they can with YOUR mone...even when it's a commercial customer. In this case it's again a very small fine compared to the crime...probably had already been accounted for? no, surely I'm overreacting!

someone looking over your shoulder is still another set of eyes in case of human error at least.

06/10/2025

that doesn't even include non CBA banks yet! Still to add this years data too!

03/10/2025

We have had more requests for our Challenge service from CBA "customers" than any other bank or lender.

Why?they are one of the least trusted Australian businesses. Probably doesn't help to have incredibly large profits year on year, yet not pass it on to your long time and loyal customers!

How is it that a brand new customer can get a far lower interest rate when a long term and loyal customer that always pays on time, in full...if not often a little bit extra...gets stuck on the same old standard rate?

In June, CBA announced 283 redundancies across its technology and retail teams.

17/09/2025

Yet another major event that shows the importance of Brokers and why you shouldn't just blindly "trust" your existing bank.

I remember this incident clearly, and it was obvious at the time that the bank had calculated for a fine. However, the plan was still going to be profitable...so they did it anyway...unbelievable!!!

16/09/2025

5his is why I became a Broker in the first place! To keep the fat cats honest!

13/09/2025

Important Notice to Our Clients & Business Partners

At Vicwest Finance (the only trading name of GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd), protecting the integrity of our services and the trust of our community is our highest priority.

We kindly remind all past, present, and prospective clients, as well as our valued business partners, to always double check the validity of any person claiming to act as a representative of Vicwest Finance.

🔹 Vicwest Finance is the only official trading name of GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd.
🔹 Any communication or representation outside this name should be treated with caution.
🔹 If you ever have doubts, please reach out to us directly to verify before proceeding.

Your vigilance helps ensure that all interactions remain secure, transparent, and in line with our professional standards.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and partnership.

—
Vicwest Finance
The only trading name of GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd

12/09/2025

Dear Valued Clients and business partners.



We wish to inform you that Dave Warburton has recently concluded his engagement with GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd, Icon Financial Group Pty Ltd, and VicWest Finance. We thank Dave for his contributions during his time with us and wish him well in his future endeavours.



We take this opportunity to assure you that GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd,
, and VicWest Finance continue to operate as usual, with no ongoing association or business relationship with Dave Warburton or any other business entities with which he may be involved.



All client matters and records continue to be managed securely by our experienced team. Should you have any questions regarding your account or this transition, please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 853490.



In today’s environment of heightened cyber security risks, we remind all clients to remain vigilant. If you receive any communication regarding your finance matters that appears unusual or suspicious, please contact us directly on 1300 853 490 to verify its authenticity.



VicWest Finance remains your trusted finance partner, committed to providing you with the highest standard of service and support.



Thank you for your continued trust.

06/09/2025

After being told I wouldn't live to see last Christmas, we said challange accepted and here I am! Spring time was my next negative milestone date, so fathers day was quite unlikely...yet here we are...and I am sitting watching Octonaughts cartoons with my two beautiful girls. 😃

This is the same resolve VicWest Finance is built upon, and I am happy to say that every cloud has a silver lining and these recent challenges have presented many silver linings for VicWest Finance and therefore our clients and business partners.

Happy Fathers Day and remember to cherishing every moment with your amazing children! Don't waste your time being a workaholic like i was.

#

06/09/2025

🌿 Health & Business Update 🌿

Just before the pandemic, my first child was born — my beautiful daughter, who I love beyond measure. ❤️ Becoming a parent was life-changing in every way, and it confirmed for my wife and I that it was time for me to make a big career shift.

So, I went back to school while working full-time and stepping up at home to support my wife’s recovery. It wasn’t easy, but together we came out stronger and more resilient.

From there, I completed my Finance qualifications, joined a brokerage, and then — in true “trial by fire” fashion — the pandemic hit. Uncertain times, but staring into my daughter’s eyes, I knew financial security meant running my own business.

That’s how VicWest Finance, under GPK Financial Group Pty Ltd, was born. Starting a brokerage during a pandemic wasn’t easy, but if we could survive that, I figured we could survive anything.

Over the years, we also built a second brand — Great Escape Finance, which has since become the country’s leading Tiny Home finance brokerage. While bittersweet, we proudly transitioned it to Jamie Mitchell and Eliza McDiarmid (two of the key people who helped build it from the ground up). They’ve continued its success with the same values and passion, which makes me very proud.

On the personal side, the past 12 months have been challenging. After my first brain surgery, I was determined to keep pushing forward — bringing in Dave Warburton to help us expand into SME finance. Unfortunately, my cancer has been relentless, with aggressive regrowth despite surgeries, treatments, and therapies. Recent months have brought constant seizures and other complications, forcing me into what I can only describe as a medical retirement.

At the same time, Dave has moved on to new opportunities (all the best), and VicWest Finance is now entering its next chapter. While I continue with treatment/recovery, I’m working on plans for the future of VicWest. This may involve a new leader or partnership - Paul

12/06/2025

This is a huge negative change for small and medium businesses, and sole traders.

Talk to us in collaboration with your accountant to navigate.

Major ATO change just weeks away as taxpayers warned over new rules: 'Will cost more'

There will be dire financial consequences that will kick in from July 1.

24/04/2025

It is amazingly refreshing to have David Warburton on board, what an expert with small, medium and big business finance...one of the beauties of working with an experienced ex business banker.

As for myself ..I am now on an uncommon treatment for the Brain Cancer as the standard treatment failed (Chemo, Radiation therapy and Brain surgery)The new treatment is basically unproven outside the torso and certainly outside of mutating and spreading cancers, as I unfortunately have

The bad news is that I am incredibly stubborn. However the good news is that I am very stubborn. Yhe initial results are in and the treatment is successfully stalling tumor growth. Whilst I have basically lost most left hand vision after the most recent and second brain surgery to remove as much tumor as possible and mostly need a wheelchair for getting around, I am experiencing small periods throughout the week of reasonable energy, hence will be working hard to transition more and more to Dave so I can step aside and spend as much time as possible with my uoung family, and getting my Rare and Uncommon Cancer Foundation happening.

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support, understanding, and assistance - paul Pritchett

26/12/2024

After a long and very cautious transition process, we are very happy that Santa visited VicWest Finance too and delivered our first employee in over 12 months.

Please join me in welcoming our new Broker Mr David Warburton, joing us from NAB as the outgoing Commercial, Small and Medium Enterprise banker for Ballarat and Grampians region.

Dave and I have worked very cautiously on this transition as he has enjoyed his time, 12 years in total, and it goes without saying that he leaves as an extremely well respected and senior banker with a wealth of experience, knowledge and still so much potential...hence the move to VicWest Finance where Dave will transition over the next 6 to 12 months to take over Paul's role for previously explained reasons.

Apart from the obvious technical skills he has in spades, what we really like about Dave is he has a sense of humour to match ours (we think that's a good thing), and most importantly he is a family man with young kids, meaning he can relate to us all, in particular our clients.

VicWest Finance is a business that has been built around family. During covid we learnt that most people actually preferred video meetings, especially after their kids weren't needing them, so our time flexibility came in handy yet we could still come to you if needed (any reason for a coffee right?) And we still have the ability to provide private office facilities for sensitive matters.

This all aligns with Dave's own working preferences so he can spend as much time with his kids as possible, maximising his work/life balance (something i learnt over a decade ago working in management for a multinational company that produces the happiest, most efficient and most productive assets (our employees are assets. We appreciate them for who and what they are and continue to invest in
Heir development...our people are our number 1 assets.

Please join me in welcoming Dave to the team. He has already made contact with many of you pre Xmas.