What to Do When a Lending Scenario Doesn't Fit the Bank

A guide for brokers. As at October 2026.

Bank lending criteria are built for standard transactions. When a lending scenario has a tight timeframe, an unusual purpose or a structure that doesn't meet every criterion, the answer from a bank can be no, even when the underlying proposition is sound. The useful question for a broker at that point is whether a different lending approach could work, and how to find out quickly.

Solomons Capital is a Brisbane-based private lender working with mortgage and finance brokers across Australia on non-NCC, property-secured loans for business and commercial purposes.

What makes a scenario assessable

A private lender will want to understand a few things before anything else:

• Purpose: what the funds are for, and whether it is a genuine business or commercial purpose.
• Security: what property is offered, where it is, and what it is realistically worth.
• Exit: how the loan will be repaid, whether through a refinance, a sale, project completion or another source. This is the question that decides most scenarios.
• The wider borrower position: existing debt, other commitments and related entities.
• Timeline: when the funds are needed, and why.

Security matters, but it is the fallback and does not replace a credible exit. A scenario with a clear answer on all five is far easier to assess.

When private lending fits, and when it doesn't

Private lending is typically short-term and typically costs more than bank lending. That trade-off makes sense when speed, flexibility or structure is worth more to the client than the lowest rate, and when there is a defined way out. It is a poor fit where the exit is unclear or where the client needs long-term, low-cost funding.

At Solomons Capital, the scenarios we see most often include bridging, property purchases, residual stock, equity release, development, subdivision and land banking, as well as business acquisitions, working capital, refinancing, ATO debt clearance and the purchase of stock and inventory.

What to expect on timing

When you send us a scenario, we will tell you within one to two hours whether it looks feasible. From there, we begin the formal assessment. The quickest turnarounds have been one to two days when everything is in place. Most delays come from waiting on external parties such as valuers, so it helps to engage them early.

Quick reference, as at October 2026

• Loan sizes from $250,000 to $25 million
• First and second mortgage options
• Property-secured lending for business and commercial purposes
• Each scenario assessed on its merits, with direct access to the people making the decision

No credit scoring does not mean no credit assessment. Every application is subject to our lending criteria and policy and is assessed case by case. Maximum LVRs vary by security type and mortgage position, and our current parameters are set out in the Solomons Capital broker flyer, available from our lending team.

One distinction is worth keeping clear: loan purpose and loan security are separate. Residential property is among our accepted security categories, but the lending described here is for business and commercial purposes.

Have a scenario?

Send it to scenarios@thesolomons.com.au or call 07 3835 8581, and we will come back to you with a clear indication.

Speak with our lending team: Steven Galdona · Darren Stratford

Prepared for mortgage and finance brokers. Information is current as at October 2026 and may change without notice. Loan sizes, LVRs and lending categories are subject to Solomons Capital's lending criteria and policy, and all applications are assessed case by case. This information is general in nature and terms and conditions apply. Solomons Capital Australia Pty Ltd, ACN 635 595 309, is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1321518) of Valparaiso Australia Pty Ltd, AFSL 482050.