Question 1

What kinds of finance can Finstead arrange?

Accepted Answer

Across the panel we arrange working capital, unsecured business loans, equipment and vehicle finance, trade and invoice finance, commercial property, business acquisition, bridging, asset refinance and low-doc business loans, plus consumer car and personal loans.

Question 2

What is the difference between secured and unsecured finance?

Accepted Answer

Secured finance is backed by an asset such as property or equipment, which usually means larger amounts and sharper rates. Unsecured finance is assessed mainly on your trading and cash flow, with no property required, and is often faster. Finstead sources both and recommends what fits.

Question 3

Can you help if my deal is complex or has been declined elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Complex deals are our focus: turnarounds, ATO debt, acquisitions, property cash-out and low-doc situations. A bank declining a deal often just means it did not fit that one lender's appetite.

Question 4

Is Finstead a lender?

Accepted Answer

No. Finstead is a finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance from our lender panel and act for you. The credit itself is provided by the lender we match you with.

Question 5

How is Finstead paid?

Accepted Answer

In most commercial deals the lender pays Finstead a commission on settlement, so there is no separate cost to you. Where a fee does apply, we disclose it upfront and in writing before you proceed.

Question 6

Who does Finstead act for, me or the lender?

Accepted Answer

We act for you. As your broker our job is to find the lender, structure and terms that suit your business, not to push any single lender's product.

Question 7

Does it cost anything to enquire?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no cost to get started and no obligation. We scope your options before anything formal happens.

Question 8

Will enquiring affect my credit score?

Accepted Answer

Simply enquiring does not. In many cases we can scope options with lenders before lodging a formal application that triggers a credit enquiry. We always explain what each step involves before it happens.

Question 9

Can I get finance with a less than perfect credit history?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. The panel includes lenders with a range of appetites, including specialist lenders who look beyond a single credit score to the strength of the business or the security on offer.

Question 10

What documents will I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the lender and the deal, but commonly recent bank statements, activity statements or BAS, financials where available, and details of any security. We keep the list as tight as possible and tell you exactly what each lender wants.

Question 11

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Straightforward unsecured facilities can settle in days; secured and property-backed deals take longer. We give you a realistic timeline once we have reviewed your file.

Question 12

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Send an enquiry through the website or call the team. We will talk through the situation, tell you what is realistic and map out the next steps.

Question 13

Which lenders does Finstead work with?

Accepted Answer

We source from a panel of more than 50 lenders via COG Aggregation, spanning the major and second-tier banks, asset and equipment financiers, SME and cash-flow lenders, invoice and trade financiers, consumer and auto lenders, and private and property credit.

Question 14

Why use a broker instead of going straight to my bank?

Accepted Answer

Your bank is one answer. A broker takes one application to many lenders, compares structure and terms, and reaches specialist and non-bank lenders most businesses never see, all while acting in your interest.

Frequently asked questions

Loan types

The broker model and how Finstead is paid

Credit scores

Applying and documents

Lenders

Tell us about the deal