Business finance questions, answered straight

A calm, searchable directory of Australian business finance: lender profiles, every loan type explained, industry and location guides, twenty free calculators and plain-English guides. When you want help, one short enquiry reaches a real lending specialist.

No. There's no credit check when you first enquire. A credit check is only discussed if you decide to go ahead with a particular lender and loan.

No. We don't sell or spray leads. Your enquiry goes to one team who works out the right fit and talks to you before anything else happens.

Usually, yes. Banks decline good businesses for policy reasons: time in business, industry, a credit blemish, tax debt or the type of security. Non-bank and private lenders often assess those situations case by case.

It's possible. Lenders look at why it happened, how long ago, what's changed and what security is available. Property-secured loans in particular can look past past credit issues.

Often. Some lenders will refinance a tax debt so the ATO is paid out, and others will lend for other purposes as long as the tax debt is under control, for example on a payment plan.

Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts, and $20k to $250k can be possible same day on a property-secured basis. Up to $5m can be possible within 24 to 48 hours for well-prepared property-secured deals. Larger or more complex loans take longer.

Unsecured and cash flow options for trading businesses typically range from $5,000 to $500,000. Property-secured business loans (first mortgages, second mortgages and caveat loans) typically range from $20,000 to $5,000,000.

Both are secured on property that already has a mortgage. A second mortgage is registered on the title behind the first lender, usually with the first lender's consent. A caveat loan is protected by lodging a caveat instead, which can be faster and is usually used for short terms.

No. Unsecured loans, lines of credit, invoice finance and equipment finance don't need property. Property simply opens up larger amounts and faster, more flexible options.

Because business lending is priced on the individual business, its security and its urgency. A headline rate is rarely what a real business is offered. Our calculators let you plug in the actual costs a lender quotes you.

Being listed is not a recommendation. Profiles describe what each lender does based on public information. Partner lenders are clearly labelled.

No. Everything in the directory is about business finance, for business purposes only.

Yes, with the right product. Equipment finance and property-secured loans can work from day one. Many online unsecured lenders look for around six months or more of trading history.

Lenders can use the join-the-directory page, and anyone can report a correction. We check and update profiles regularly.