Outside the banks
Private business lending explained
How private and non-bank lenders assess, price and settle short-term business loans — and how to come to them prepared.
15 plain-English explainers in this section
Private business loans
Private business loans from $20k to $5m against residential or commercial property. Which title position fits, how lenders decide, and how fast it settles.
Read more →Private first mortgages
Private first mortgage lenders take top spot on title for loans up to $5m. When first position beats a second mortgage, what slows it and how the exit works.
Read more →Private second mortgage
A private second mortgage lets you borrow against equity without refinancing your bank loan. How it works in each state, how much it raises and how fast.
Read more →Non-bank second mortgage
A non-bank second mortgage comes from a private or specialist lender, not your bank. Who these lenders are, what they assess and the questions to ask first.
Read more →No income verification
A no income verification private loan is sized on property equity and a clear exit, not tax returns. What replaces income proof and who it suits.
Read more →Companies and trusts
Short-term property-secured finance for companies and trusts: who signs, who guarantees, what lenders check on the entity and how to avoid late delays.
Read more →Private lender vs bank
Private lender vs bank business loan, side by side: speed, what's assessed, cost, flexibility and term — plus when the bank is the better call.
Read more →Fees and costs
Short-term loan fees and costs explained: establishment, legal, valuation, prepaid or capitalised interest, line fees and discharge — and when each one hits.
Read more →Documents checklist
Documents for a private business loan, sorted by stage: what to have at enquiry, for assessment and for settlement — and the items that cause the most delays.
Read more →Settlement speed
How long does a private loan take to settle? Same day is possible to $250k, up to $5m in 24–48 hours. The steps involved and what speeds them up.
Read more →Caveat loan requirements
Caveat loan requirements in one checklist: property, equity, business purpose, an exit, ID and a payout figure, plus what gets a file declined.
Read more →Lender vs broker
Direct caveat lender or broker? Who makes the credit decision, how many hands your file passes through, where broker fees fit, and when a broker still helps.
Read more →Caveat loan pricing
Caveat loan rates explained without a rate card: the seven things that set your price, why 'from' rates mislead, and how to compare quotes in real dollars.
Read more →Exit strategy
Caveat loan exit strategy explained: the four exits that repay the loan, whether monthly repayments apply, how long it runs, and what to do if the date slips.
Read more →Caveat loan risks
Caveat loan risks laid out plainly: what happens if you can't repay on time, how it can touch your bank loan, when it's the wrong tool, how to cut the risk.
Read more →Keep exploring
Other parts of the library
Short-term loan types
Caveat, first mortgage, second mortgage, bridging and more — what each short-term loan is, when it fits and how quickly it can move.
Funding scenarios
The situations that send business owners looking for short-term money — and how a property-secured loan can solve each one.
Your property as security
How lenders read your property, your equity and your state's rules — the details that decide how much you can borrow and how fast.
See what your business could qualify for
One short enquiry, no credit check when you first enquire, and a real person who calls you back with options that fit.
No credit check to ask
The lender, not a broker
A real person on the clock