About
About Ascension Finance
Clear advice. Straight answers.
We’re an independent mortgage broking business based in Newcastle, helping clients across Australia. Joel Archer started Ascension Finance in 2018 on one idea: you should walk away understanding your home loan, not just holding one.
Established in Newcastle
Lenders on our panel
5-star Google reviews
5-star Rate My Agent reviews
Our team
The people behind your loan
Joel Archer
Joel has more than 30 years in finance, 11 of them as a broker and running his own business since 2018. The first 18 years of his career were in debt collection, and seeing how quickly things can unravel is why he makes sure clients are genuinely ready before they commit to a home loan.
He started Ascension Finance in 2018 to give people something he felt was missing: a broker who explains the whole picture before anything is signed.
His favourite part of the job is when a client arrives saying “we don’t think we’re ready yet” and leaves with a clear plan, often a lot closer than they thought.
Away from the office, Joel coaches kids’ basketball, volunteers as Treasurer for Lakers Basketball and as a youth mentor, he enjoys travelling with his wife and two boys, either overseas or in the caravan. He also remains a loyal Parramatta Eels supporter, through the good years and the others.
Loren Manthey
Loren has been helping people navigate home loans for more than a decade, working with everyone from first home buyers taking that exciting first step to families refinancing and investors building their portfolios.
She loves taking the confusion out of finance. Whether it’s finding a better deal, working through a tricky scenario or turning a “no” into a “yes”, she’s known for working hard for her clients and being there from the first conversation right through to settlement and beyond.
For Loren, broking isn’t just about getting a loan approved. It’s about making sure her clients understand their options, feel comfortable with their decisions and have someone in their corner.
Away from the office, Loren’s calendar doesn’t get much quieter. She’s a wife, mum of two, football coach, manager and player, when her body allows it. If she’s not talking home loans, there’s a very good chance she’s standing beside a football pitch somewhere.
Rhea Ciriaco
Rhea keeps your file moving. She helps collate and review your documents, prepares and tracks loan applications, and liaises with you and your lender every step of the way.
Once your loan is approved, she makes sure your file progresses smoothly all the way to settlement, and she stays a point of contact well into the future.
Rhea is big on family. With four kids, most of her time outside work goes into looking after them and running a busy household.
What we stand for
Our values
Your interests first
We’re bound by the best interests duty, and we’d work that way regardless.
Solutions that fit
We look at your life and plans, not just the lowest rate on a list.
Integrity
We tell you what we’d tell family, including when the answer is “not yet”.
Keep it simple
Plain English, clear steps and no jargon.
Open up possibilities
One lender’s no isn’t the only answer. We find the options you didn’t know you had.
Relationships that last
We review your loan every six months, and most of our clients come from referrals.
The Ascension Way
The same proven process, every client
Whether you’re buying your first home, investing or refinancing, you get the same clear steps.
A 10-minute phone call
Where you stand, what you want, and whether now is the right time.
Send us your documents
A clear checklist and simple upload, so we work from facts.
Your strategy session
Borrowing power, lenders and structure. You leave with a Loan Strategy Report.
Application to settlement
We package your application properly and keep you updated to the finish line.
Reviews every six months
We check your rate is still competitive and your loan still suits you.
Memberships and accreditations
Licensed, accountable and independent
Member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia
Member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia
Member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Credit Representative 513326, authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328
Want to lift your home loan game?
Book a 10-minute phone call. We’ll get a feel for your goals and tell you straight what’s possible.