For Jess Shaw and Jessie Parker, launching Vesta Finance & Advisory wasn’t just about going out on their own. It was about doing finance differently.
After nearly a decade each at BNZ, Jess in Business and Commercial Banking, Jessie in Personal and Private Banking, they saw firsthand the challenges ambitious Kiwis face when trying to grow. Entrepreneurs needing strategic funding, professionals wanting to build wealth beyond the 9-to- 5, and families unsure how to make the most of their financial options – all looking for clearer, smarter support.
“We are extremely client focused, value relationships and are truly invested in our client’s success” says Jess. “Segmentation and policy outside of our control left us looking for a different way. A way where we could use our experience and expertise to deliver an even better client experience.’
They describe themselves as “professional storytellers,” using their expertise to help clients articulate their own success stories and secure funding. Whether it’s guiding homeowners through mortgages or crafting growth strategies for businesses, their approach is about making complex financial situations clear and achievable.
From Bankers to Business Owners
The idea for Vesta started as a conversation between friends. Both successful, both working mums, and both ready for a change.
“I’d always wanted to own a business, it is actually the whole reason I moved into business banking” says Jess. “When Jessie floated the idea, I needed a little push, then it just clicked.
We weren’t just stepping away from corporate life. We were stepping into purpose.”
Earlier this year, they co-founded Vesta Finance & Advisory here in Hawke’s Bay. Since then, they’ve helped clients across Aotearoa secure funding for businesses, buy homes and commercial property, restructure and consolidate debt, set game plans for future goals, and navigate financial crossroads with confidence.
“We don’t see ourselves as just mortgage or finance advisers,” says Jessie. “We’re long-term partners in our clients’ financial journey, whether that’s buying a rental property or building a business empire.”
Tailored Advice for Professionals and Business Owners
Vesta offers independent holistic advice across residential, business and commercial lending services, along with KiwiSaver planning. It’s a mix that reflects the full financial lives of their clients.
“Business owners don’t fit neatly in a box. Neither do our solutions,” says Jess. “We can help a client restructure for tax efficiency, access funding to scale, or prepare for a sale or succession. It’s about seeing the bigger picture.”
For professionals and families, Vesta demystifies the lending process and helps them make informed moves. That might mean buying a home, structuring lending, or using KiwiSaver more strategically.
“KiwiSaver is such a powerful tool, but it’s often overlooked,” says Jessie. “We help clients choose the right fund and diversify their assets to build a better retirement”.
Vesta partners with leading KiwiSaver providers like Milford and Generate and offers advice that’s tailored and transparent.
More Than Brokers. Your Strategic Team
With access to more than 25 lenders, Vesta tailors every funding solution to the client’s needs. Whilst their residential offering is typically free (which is standard for mortgage advisers), their business and commercial services run on a transparent fee-for-service model.
“That means our clients know exactly what they’re paying for and that we’re working solely in their best interest,” Jess
explains. “If a bank pays a commission, we rebate it. No hidden agendas.”
Their deep banking experience gives them a technical edge.
“We know what bankers and their credit writers want, how to position a deal, and how to spot red flags before they become roadblocks,” says Jessie. “We’re not just filling out forms. We’re telling your story in a way that gets results and gives the bank comfort.”
Relationships, Not Transactions
What sets Vesta apart is the depth of the relationships they build. Clients aren’t just numbers. They’re families, founders, and future-focused Kiwis. “We’re part of this community, and we care about its success as much as our own,” says Jess.
“We’re proud to be part of our clients’ lives, long after the deal’s done,” says Jessie. “It might start with an investment property, but it doesn’t end there. We’ve grown with our clients, personally and professionally.”
While based in Hawke’s Bay, their impact is nationwide and growing.
“One thing we love with Vesta is that clients don’t have to meet certain thresholds to work with us, we can build strong relationships with other ambitious kiwi’s both in Hawkes Bay and around NZ,” says Jess.
Vesta: Named for Hearth, Built with Heart
The business is named after Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth and home. A symbol of warmth, protection, and lasting value.
“It reflects what we want our clients to feel. Safe, supported, and empowered,” says Jessie.
Jess sums it up: “We are very grateful for our time at the bank. We know the experience and relationships we built there have set us up for success in running a business and delivering an exceptional result for our clients. We’ve left behind the parts of the corporate world that didn’t serve us or our clients. What we are building reflects who we are and what we believe in. And we’re just getting started.”
For Jess Shaw and Jessie Parker, Vesta is more than a business. It’s a reflection of their passion for helping others, their commitment to their community, and their determination to do things differently. And that’s a story worth telling.
