Meet The Team: Sunny Kwong

Updated: Aug 30, 2022

Sunny Kwong, Mortgage Adviser

This past week, we connected with the newest team member of the Cedar Crest team: Sunny Kwong. Sunny is one of our mortgage advisers who's responsible for providing mortgage advice and property finance solutions to UK residents and expats around the world.

An avid sports fan and athlete, Sunny gets personal with us in our latest interview and shares more on his personal interests, his professional background and what it's like to work at Cedar Crest.

Welcome onboard Sunny Kwong!

What led you to choose this profession?

Sunny Kwong:

Since I was young, I have been interested in trading, the stock market, and how money is made so when I reached university, I decided to get a degree specialising in actuarial science. After I graduated from university, it seemed like a natural progression for me to go into investment banking given my interest in business and finance.

After more than 15 years of working in various roles in a number of investment banks, I decided to explore the financial advisory sector as it was one I was interested in and it had clear synergies with investing. Therefore, I decided to start working in the property and mortgage market.

Unlike the stock market where you have to be working during market hours, being a mortgage adviser allows me to have a more flexible work schedule so that I can take care of my children in the morning and work late into the evening after they sleep.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Sunny Kwong:

Being able to find the most suitable mortgage product for a client so they can get their dream house. It is very rewarding to see clients reaching their property goals and living in a place they truly enjoy.

Who is your business icon?

Sunny Kwong:

That's an easy one, Elon Musk. He's a legend! Revolutionary, forward thinking, and focused on making a difference.

Who do you most admire?

Sunny Kwong:

I am a huge basketball fan so it would have to be Kobe Bryant.

About yourself...

Sunny Kwong:

First and foremost, I am a father of three loving children and they are my utmost priority. Secondly, I love playing and watching basketball. I am also constantly trying to get in shape but as I am ageing, my fitness level is deteriorating at a much faster pace than I could keep up with!

About your role...

Sunny Kwong:

I am a mortgage adviser so I assist clients with all their mortgage needs and help them to achieve their property goals. When my clients place their trust on me, I will make sure they will get the best services and most suitable products on the market.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?

Sunny Kwong:

I would probably be back in investment banking or working at a hedge fund.

Why did you chose to work for Cedar Crest?

Sunny Kwong:

Most of my clients are Hong Kong based but are interested in the UK property market and given Cedar Crest is in Hong Kong and offers UK mortgage expertise, it just made perfect sense for me to join.

What are your future aspirations?

Sunny Kwong:

My goal is to live by the beach, play basketball or work out on a daily basis and simply enjoy life.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Sunny Kwong:

Since I love sports and fitness, it would have to be going to the gym and playing basketball.

Best financial tips you have gotten?

Sunny Kwong:

Follow the trends but don't get caught upon in them.

What's top of mind for you at the moment?

Inflation is increasing at the highest rate any of us have experienced in the past 30 years (unless you lived in Venezuela, Lebanon, Sudan or Zimbabwe). The Central Bank is increasing interest rates to battle inflation, hence the steep increase in mortgage rates in the past 6 months.

The questions everyone is asking are for how long will interest rates continue to rise and how high can they actually get? The reality is that no one has a crystal ball but I believe that even with high mortgage rates asset prices will grow inline with inflation and any time is a good time to invest in property or buy your first house as long as you have a solid financial plan.