How to place a deal with a private lender

What does a clean scenario look like?

Five lines, done well. Loan amount and purpose, security address and property type, requested term, exit strategy, and a one-line sponsor brief. The credit team can scope a file off that and come back with indicative terms inside the day.

Optional but useful: requested LVR, current debt position, any specific deadlines (auction date, contract settlement, refinance maturity), and a note on the borrower's relationship with the security and the broker.

What slows down a scenario?

• A scenario sent in about the file without the amount, security or exit clearly stated.
• A scenario where the exit is implied rather than documented ("they'll refinance to a bank" without a refinance pre-approval or pathway).
• Multi-entity borrower structures introduced piecemeal across several emails rather than mapped in the first submission.
• Specialised security where the credit team needs more detail to even instruct valuation.

How does the credit process actually run?

Step 1: scenario in

Broker emails or submits the scenario. Credit reviews and comes back with indicative terms, questions, or an early decline. Same business day on most files.

Step 2: formal application

If the indicative shape works for the borrower, the broker collects formal application documents (identification, financials proportional to file size, security evidence, exit evidence). Credit moves to formal approval.

Step 3: valuation

Valuation instructed from the panel valuer suited to the security type and location. This is often the longest single step.

Step 4: legals and settlement

Loan documents drafted and circulated. Borrower signs, legals completed, mortgage registered, funds advanced.

What if the file does not fit?

An early decline is more useful than a slow yes. The credit team will say so quickly if the file does not fit the envelope, often with a note on what would have to change for it to work. Brokers can take that back to the borrower and re-shape, or place elsewhere.

Frequently asked

• What should a private lending scenario include?
  Loan amount, purpose, security address(es) and property type, requested term, exit strategy, sponsor brief. Anything else credit will need to ask for to assess the file. Five lines done well beat five pages done poorly.
• What is the fastest way to get indicative terms?
  Submit a complete scenario with the basics covered, then be reachable for credit questions in the next few hours. Most indicative terms turn the same business day on a complete file. Incomplete files cycle and lose days.
• Does the borrower need to be a client of the broker?
  Standard accredited-broker arrangements apply. The broker is the introducer of record. Direct borrower enquiries that come through the website are matched to an accredited broker covering the postcode where appropriate.
• Can a broker without accreditation submit a deal?
  Yes, new broker onboarding is welcome. The credit team can take an initial scenario before full accreditation paperwork is complete and run the credit process in parallel with onboarding.
• What happens after indicative terms?
  If the indicative shape works for the borrower, the broker collects formal application documents (identification, supporting financials, security evidence, exit evidence). Credit moves to formal approval, valuation is instructed, and the file proceeds to legals and settlement.
• How are commissions paid?
  Commission terms are confirmed in the accredited-broker agreement. Standard market practice applies; specific rates are negotiated with the BDM at accreditation.