Every file goes through the same four-question framework. If all four sit inside policy, the file is straightforward. If one is marginal and three are strong, the file goes to credit committee with structuring. If two or more are marginal, the credit team usually says so on the same day rather than wasting the borrower's time.
Pillar 1, security
Archer Wealth lends secured by Australian real estate: residential, commercial, vacant land, or development sites. Two checks underneath.
LVR within policy. Up to 75% on prime metro residential first mortgages; 65% on apartments; 60% on commercial; lower on land and development. Combined LVR up to 80% on prime residential seconds.
Marketability of the security. A prime Bondi terrace is a different file from a 50-acre dry-land block in regional WA. Both can be lent against; the LVR and the rate reflect the difference.
Pillar 2, sponsor
Who the borrower is. Identity, credit history (not used as a binary yes/no but as a data point), prior experience for development files, beneficial-ownership structure. Self-employed income is assessed differently from PAYG, but it isn't treated as inferior, we want to see the business is real and profitable, not chase ATO-aligned tax returns.
Pillar 3, exit
How the loan is repaid. The most important pillar on short-dated files. A documented exit (signed contract of sale, conditional refinance offer, completed development with pre-sales) sits inside policy; a vague intention to "list the property next year" does not. The credit team underwrites the exit at entry, not at the end of the term.
Pillar 4, serviceability
For interest-only and capitalised-interest files, serviceability isn't a monthly P&I calculation, it's a question of whether the borrower can meet interest costs through the term and whether the exit has buffer for cost overruns or timing slip. Where interest is capitalised, the exit value must cover the loan plus capitalised interest plus a margin.
Why same-day on cleaner files
A clean file is one where the security is mainstream metro property, LVR sits comfortably inside policy, exit is documented, and the borrower is identifiable. The four pillars take an experienced credit officer 20 minutes to assess. Same-day indicative terms reflect the actual time the work takes, there's no artificial pipeline delay.
What slows a file down
Commercial security (additional zoning, environmental and tenancy review). Development files (QS report, project management agreement, builder due diligence). First-mortgage-holder consent on a second mortgage (1-2 weeks of bank back-and-forth). Unusual structures (offshore beneficial owners, distressed-asset acquisition, related-party transactions). The credit team flags these at indicative so brokers and borrowers know what to expect.
Frequently asked
How quickly can you settle? Indicative terms same business day on clean files. Settlement 3-5 days. Complex files (development, commercial security, second-mortgage consent) run 1-3 weeks.
Do you use a serviceability calculator? No, short-dated property files are assessed on the four pillars, not via a P&I serviceability formula. The credit team makes the call.
Will a low credit score automatically decline my file?No. Credit history is a data point in the sponsor assessment. The reason for the score matters more than the score itself.
Can you lend to a company or trust? Yes, most files are written to companies or trusts. Beneficial owners are identified as part of standard KYC.
What documents do I need to submit? ID, security details, a documented exit (sale contract or refinance letter), and recent financials proportionate to the loan size. Your broker will provide a tailored checklist.