About Us
Your local team of finance experts
The Castle Finance team in Newcastle are with you every step of the way to help support you, as you secure your loan. Whether you are in the market for your first home, an investment property, looking to build a business, SMSF lending, new car or refinancing your current debts, our team is your team.
Larissa Sasse
Operations Manager & Senior Loans Processor
With over 10 years in the finance industry, Larissa keeps the wheels turning behind the scenes, handling everything from lending and compliance to staff management and procedures—basically, if it needs organising, she’s on it. Outgoing and armed with a sense of humour, she makes sure the office runs smoothly without ever losing her smile.
A Newcastle local now enjoying the slower pace of Mudgee farm life, Larissa spends her downtime relaxing with her beloved greyhounds and soaking up country living.
l.sasse@castlefinancesolutions.com.au
Ben Rigby
Director & Senior Credit Advisor
Ben’s expertise & charm shine through as our Director & Senior Credit Advisor. Specialising in Self-Managed Super Fund & complex individual lending, Ben’s ability to think outside the box allows him to secure finance when others can’t. A proud Lower
Hunter local, he’s built a reputation for helping clients navigate complex finance with clarity, confidence, and the occasional dad joke.
When he’s not matching people with the right loans, you’ll find Ben chasing a football, searching for the perfect wave. A true family man with a talent for making the complicated feel simple, he’s here to make your finance journey seamless.
b.rigby@castlefinancesolutions.com.au
0412 366 474
Nicholle Budden
Credit Specialist
Nicholle is a Credit Specialist with a knack for making finance simple, clear, and surprisingly fun. With strong empathy and organisational skills, she guides clients through finance with care and a love for helping people achieve their goals.
A Newcastle local since 2024, she’s embraced the friendly, knowledge-filled community and wouldn’t trade beach life for the country. When she’s not crunching numbers, Nicholle is chasing sunshine—hiking, camping, road-tripping, trying new foods, or reading outdoors.
n.budden@castlefinancesolutions.com.au
Justin Burdus
Lead Credit Advisor
With more than a decade of experience in both banking & broking, Justin is the steady hand that steers our Credit Team. As our Lead Credit Advisor, he specialises commercial and residential lending for the self-employed. A naturally complex niche, Justin provides clarity and confidence to his clients even in the most complicated lending scenarios.
Known for his CrossFit obsession, Justin enjoys out-competing everyone in the office, usually just to prove he can—and applying that same strength and discipline to helping clients secure the right finance solutions. A dedicated family man with a knack for turning complex numbers into simple decisions, Justin keeps the team grounded and motivated.
j.burdus@castlefinancesolutions.com.au
0434 629 338
Jenni Stevens
Administration Assistant
Jenni brings strong organisational skills from her experience managing multiple sites, teams, and schedules—skills that help her prioritise our teams focus on the most important thing – your loan approval.
Adventurous by nature and passionate about health and fitness, you’ll often catch Jenni running along the coast or challenging herself in an early morning CrossFit session.
A proud Merewether local, Jenni loves the beachside lifestyle and strong community spirit—whether it’s morning walkers along the beach, surfers chasing waves, or families gathering in the parks, getting involved in the local community is Jenni’s sacred past time. And it’s no surprise that she brings that same energy and connection into her work every day.
j.stevens@castlefinancesolutions.com.au
Visit Our Newcastle Office
Our main office in Newcastle is located at 199 Union St, The Junction NSW 2291. We also provide a mobile home loan service where we can come to you. Additionally, we offer a virtual home loan service, meaning we can serve you no matter where you are located.
Customer Testimonials
See what our clients have to say.
Get In Touch Today
Are you ready to make borrowing simple?
Get in touch with our team today to organise chat about how we can help you finance your dreams and make borrowing simple.
