Questions about the lending market, answered

The four major banks; regional banks, challenger banks, credit unions and mutual banks; non-bank lenders funded by wholesale investors; private lenders; online lenders that assess bank data; invoice financiers; asset and equipment financiers; trade finance providers; caveat and second-mortgage lenders; revenue-based providers such as merchant cash advances; and a small number of government-backed lenders for exporters and farm businesses.

It's differently regulated rather than unsafe. Banks take deposits and are supervised by APRA. Non-banks lend money raised from investors and wholesale funders, so they don't hold your savings. For business borrowers the practical differences are credit policy, pricing and flexibility — non-banks often accept situations banks won't, usually at a higher cost.

Each lender has its own credit policy, funding cost and appetite. One may refuse any business with ATO debt; another may accept it if property security covers the loan comfortably. One may need two years of tax returns; another may verify income from bank statements. Matching your profile to the right policy is most of the work.

No. We describe lender types, because individual lenders change policies, merge or leave the market. A specialist will tell you which lenders inside a type are a good fit for you right now.

No. There's no credit check to enquire. A check only becomes part of the process if you choose to proceed with a lender, and we'll tell you before it happens.

No. We don't sell or broadcast enquiries. A specialist works out which lender fits and, with your permission, approaches that lender properly.

A real person — a lending specialist — reads your enquiry and calls you, usually on the same or next business day. You can also call us on 03 9072 0200.

The amount, purpose, trading history, credit and any property you own decide which lender type fits. If an answer is off, we can end up pointing you the wrong way, which costs you time. Accurate answers mean a proper match first time.

Property-secured business loans range from $20,000 to $5,000,000 using first mortgages, second mortgages or caveats over residential or commercial property. Unsecured and cash-flow options for trading businesses typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.

Not always. Online lenders, invoice financiers, asset financiers and merchant cash advance providers can all lend without real estate. Property does widen your options and usually allows larger amounts and longer terms.

Because every business loan is priced on the business behind it. A rate on a website would be wrong for most readers and could mislead. We compare offers in total dollars and aim for the sharpest pricing available for your situation.

Use the total cost in dollars: every repayment plus every fee, minus what you actually receive. Then check the repayment frequency, the term, any balloon and what it costs to repay early. Our repayment comfort calculator helps you turn a total cost into a repayment you can test against your cash flow.

Often, with the right lender type. Banks are usually strict, but non-bank, private and caveat lenders consider credit issues case by case, particularly when there's property security and a believable plan to repay.

Yes, it's a common purpose for property-secured private and non-bank lending, and some unsecured lenders will help smaller tax debts for steady businesses. Lenders want to see the full ATO position and how the business will stay current once the debt is cleared.

Banks and most online lenders want more history, but property-secured lenders care far less about the age of the ABN, and asset financiers will sometimes help newer businesses buy equipment. Your industry experience and a clear plan both count.

Find out why first. If the reason is a policy line — time trading, industry, tax returns not lodged — another bank will probably say the same. That's when a non-bank or specialist lender is usually the better next step.