When the Banks Say No, Private Funding Opens Doors
Sometimes life does not fit neatly into a bank's checklist. Maybe you need urgent finance to secure a property before a deadline. Maybe you are self-employed and your income looks different on paper. Or perhaps you are a developer or investor who needs a short term loan to bridge a gap between deals. Whatever the situation, private funding can be the solution that keeps your plans on track.
Private funding refers to loans provided by a private lender, private money lender, or non-bank lender rather than a traditional bank or credit union. These lenders, sometimes called second tier lenders or specialist lenders, operate with more flexibility than the major banks. They assess each private loan application on its own merits, which means they can often say yes when a bank cannot. At FinancePath, we work with a wide network of private lenders and high net worth lenders, giving you access to private funding options from lenders across Australia.
Who Typically Uses Private Funding?
Private funding is used by a broad range of borrowers. Property investors who need quick private funding to secure a deal before it slips away. Developers looking for private development finance or private commercial finance to get a project off the ground. Business owners who need commercial funding but cannot meet the strict criteria of a traditional bank. Homeowners who need a private bridging finance solution to buy a new home before selling their existing one. If you have ever thought "I can't get bank approval," private funding may be the alternative lending path you have been looking for.
At FinancePath, we regularly help clients who have been turned away by mainstream lenders. We understand that a knock-back from a bank does not mean you are not creditworthy. It often just means your situation does not fit their standard template. That is where alternative lenders and flexible private lending come in.
Understanding Private Loan Costs and Rates
It is important to go in with clear expectations. Private lending rates are typically higher than standard bank rates because private lenders take on more risk and offer more flexibility. The private loan interest rate you receive will depend on a number of factors, including the loan amount, the loan to value ratio (LVR), the private funding term, and the strength of your exit plan.
Calculating private loan costs means looking beyond just the interest rate. You also need to factor in private loan fees, which can include establishment fees, legal fees, and valuation costs. A variable interest rate may apply in some cases, while others may offer a fixed rate for the private funding term. The private loan LVR is also a key consideration. Most private lenders will lend up to a certain percentage of the property value, and some will consider a high LVR depending on the security offered.
Alternative security arrangements are also possible with many private lenders. This means that if you have an asset that a bank would not accept as security, a specialist lender may still be willing to consider it. This is one of the key advantages of flexible solutions offered through the private lending market.
The Importance of an Exit Strategy
One of the most critical parts of any private loan is having a clear private exit strategy. Because private funding is typically a short term loan, lenders want to know how you plan to repay the loan at the end of the term. Common exit strategies include selling the property, refinancing to a mainstream lender once your situation improves, or using proceeds from a development or investment. At FinancePath, we help you think through your exit plan before you apply, so you go into the process with confidence.
Private bridging finance is one of the most common uses of private funding. If you are buying a new property before your current one sells, a bridging loan can cover the gap. For those involved in property development, development finance is another area where private funding plays a major role, helping developers access capital when traditional lenders are too slow or too restrictive.
How FinancePath Helps You Access Private Funding
At FinancePath, we act as your guide through the private lending space. We take the time to understand your situation, your goals, and your timeline. Then we match you with the right private lender from our network, whether that is a family office, a high net worth lender, or another type of specialist lender. We explain the private loan interest rate, the private funding costs, and the private funding term in plain language so you always know what you are agreeing to.
We also help you prepare a strong private loan application, which is essential when dealing with alternative lending. A well-prepared application that clearly outlines your loan amount, your security, your LVR, and your exit plan gives you the best chance of fast approval. While private funding can offer fast private approval compared to traditional lenders, the speed of approval still depends on how well your application is put together.
If you are considering investment loans or need commercial loans and have found the banks are not meeting your needs, private investment loan options through FinancePath could be the answer. We also work with self-employed borrowers who may benefit from low doc loans as an alternative or complementary option.
Private funding is not the right fit for every situation, but for those who need urgent finance, flexible solutions, or access to capital that mainstream lenders will not provide, it can be a powerful tool. The team at FinancePath is here to help you understand your options, weigh up the costs, and move forward with a plan that works for your circumstances. Reach out today to find out whether private funding is the right path for you.
We begin by gaining a deep understanding of you - your goals, your lifestyle, your current position, and where you want to be in the future.
At this stage, we focus on asking the questions that matter to you, not just the questions lenders require. This allows us to build a strategy that supports your life today and your longterm plans, not just a transaction.
During this stage, we:
This first step ensures we're aligned and preparing a lending plan that's tailored specifically to your needs - not a one size fits all approach. It's all about setting the right foundation so the rest of the journey feels simple, informed, and stress free.
Next, we design a personalised lending solution around your unique circumstances and guide you through every part of the approval journey.
After analysing your position and reviewing the broader lending market, we provide you with a clear, personalised borrowing capacity and a lending structure that aligns with both your immediate needs and future goals.
In this stage, we:
You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what actions (if any) you need to take. We remove the complexity from this step so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Once approved, we support you through settlement and continue to work with you well beyond your loan being put in place.
Settlement is not the end of the journey - it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship designed to ensure your lending continues to support your life as it evolves.
Here's what this includes:
We proactively reach out to ensure your lending remains aligned with your goals - now and into the future - giving you the confidence and peace of mind that we have your back.
Your lending journey doesn't end at settlement, and neither does our support. Our ongoing approach ensures you're always well positioned to make the most of your financial opportunities.
















































Chris and his team have been a pleasure to deal with during the whole process. Very informative and got us a great result with our remortgage.
Nick Little
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John Denier
Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!
kath brundell
Hands down the best broker experience we have ever had. Mark, his team and network of property professionals made our experience 10/10. Have already told all my family and friends, can’t recommend FinancePath more!
Brayden King
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We envision a world where financial stress is a thing of the past. Where everyone has a trusted partner guiding them through life’s biggest financial decisions—24/7.
We’re here to help you seize opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and live your best life. Not just for you, but for your family, friends, and future generations.
Book AppointmentMany brokers focus on how much you can borrow. We focus on how much you should borrow — and, just as importantly, why.
Rather than producing a generic borrowing capacity figure, our role is to ask the right questions upfront so your lending strategy actually fits your life. We take the time to understand your income structure, expenses, lifestyle priorities, future plans, and risk tolerance before discussing numbers. This ensures your lending position supports where you’re heading, not just what a calculator says is possible.
From there, we help you shape a personalised lending strategy — considering cash flow, tax implications, flexibility, and future opportunities — so your finance decisions remain sustainable and intentional over time. Our focus is on clarity and confidence, not maximising debt.
We also stay involved beyond settlement. That means helping you understand how your loan works day‑to‑day, keeping an eye on whether it still suits your circumstances, and checking in as your goals or situation evolve.
Unlike many brokers, we hold an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which means we are required to meet strict compliance standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance, manage dispute resolution processes, and demonstrate adequate resources and systems. This provides reassurance that you’re working with a licensed professional held to high regulatory and ethical standards.
In short, we don’t just arrange loans — we help you make lending decisions that still feel right years down the track.
Instead, we’re paid through commissions by the fund provider when a loan settles and, in some cases, while the loan remains in place. This payment structure does not change our legal obligations to you.
As licensed mortgage brokers, we are required to act in your best interests and comply with responsible lending obligations under Australian law. That means we must take reasonable steps to ensure any loan we recommend is suitable for your circumstances, aligns with your objectives, and does not place you in financial hardship. Our duty is to you — not the lender.
Banks, by contrast, are only required to ensure a loan is not unsuitable for their customer. They are not held to the same best‑interests obligation and are limited to offering products from their own range.
Our process is designed around these higher standards. We focus on understanding your full financial position, asking the right questions, and recommending lending solutions that are sustainable over the long term — not simply what you might qualify for today.
This approach gives you confidence that your lending decisions are being made carefully, responsibly, and with your interests at the centre — both now and into the future.
Not at all. Whatever stage of life you are in or financial position you find yourself in, we can help bring clarity to your money matters. We may identify loan products with better rates, or help you build a smarter end-to-end money management strategy. It all starts with a free smart money management consultation. Whether you are looking to reduce debt, grow wealth, or simply get a clearer picture of your finances, our team is ready to help you take the next step. There are no obligations and no pressure, just straightforward, honest guidance tailored to your situation. Give us a call on 1300 780 440 to get started.
Interest rate movements are one of the most common concerns we hear from borrowers — and understandably so. Even small changes can affect repayments and your longer‑term financial position.
At FinancePath, you’re not left to navigate these changes on your own. Our role is to help you understand how rate movements may affect your loan and to be available when it makes sense to review your options. When you’re considering a change — whether that’s reviewing your rate, restructuring your loan, or exploring refinancing — we’ll walk you through the implications clearly so you can make an informed decision.
We also focus heavily on getting the structure right from the outset. That includes discussing fixed versus variable rates, split loan options, and flexibility features, so your loan is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance from day one — not just current market conditions.
Our approach is about long‑term suitability, not constant switching. As your circumstances or the lending environment change, we’re here to help you assess what still makes sense, so your loan continues to support your broader financial plans over time.
Missing out on a great property because your bank is buried in paperwork is frustrating — and avoidable. We work closely with a wide range of Australian lenders, including specialist lending teams that don’t deal directly with the public. This allows us to assess your situation efficiently and guide your application through the process without unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re seeking pre‑approval or need a fast turnaround on a purchase, we focus on momentum so you’re always ready to act. No sitting on hold. No waiting weeks for updates. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be in a strong position to move forward with confidence.
While every situation is different, most applications move from initial submission through to settlement within two to six weeks. Your first financial assessment and loan recommendation can typically happen within days of providing your details. From there, formal application and lender assessment generally takes one to two weeks, though complexity, document readiness, and the lender's current workload can all influence the timeline. Property valuations and legal checks can also add time depending on the circumstances. Pre-approval can often be obtained faster, sometimes within just a few days. At FinancePath, we work to keep things moving efficiently at every stage and will keep you informed throughout so there are never any surprises. The goal is always to get you to settlement as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Most people approach a bank only after finding a property they want. By that point, time pressure is working against you, and any gaps in your application become urgent problems.
We take the opposite approach. Getting your lending position clear before you need it means we can ask the right questions, gather the correct documents, and present your application accurately, without the rush. Approval timeframes ultimately depend on the lender and loan type, but our role is to remove every delay on your side, avoiding back-and-forth, last-minute surprises, and unnecessary bottlenecks.
The result is that when the right property comes along, you're already organised, informed, and ready to act. Not scrambling to catch up.
Being self-employed or running your own business should never be a barrier to building your property portfolio or securing the finance you need. Traditional lenders often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that puts self-employed applicants at an unfair disadvantage. At FinancePath, we work with self-employed borrowers and business owners every day. We know which lenders genuinely understand variable income, what documentation they require, and how to present your application in the strongest possible way. Whether you are using business financials, tax returns, or business activity statements, we help you put your best foot forward. Some lenders actively specialise in self-employed borrowers and offer more flexible criteria, and our job is to connect you with the right one while making sure you are getting a competitive deal.