Declined by the Bank? Here’s Where Australian Business Owners Are Really Getting Approved for Finance
Last updated: 25 April 2025
By Michael Pajar | Business Finance Broker | Casey Asset Finance
When you’ve put everything into your business — long hours, personal sacrifice, staff wages, tax obligations — and your bank still says no, it’s more than frustrating. It’s personal. You’ve built something from the ground up, yet when you ask for funding to grow, survive, or simply breathe, the doors seem to close.
If this sounds like your situation, know this: you’re not alone — and it’s not the end of the road.
At Casey Asset Finance, we work with business owners across Australia who have been declined by the bank — and we help them get approved. We do this by accessing a lender network that looks beyond the old-school tick boxes and actually sees your business for what it is: real, imperfect, growing, and worthy of funding.
Why Banks Say No — Even to Good Businesses
You may have solid monthly revenue. You might even have a profitable business. So why does the bank still knock you back?
Here’s why we see it happen daily:
You’ve been trading for less than 2 years
Your accountant hasn’t finished your latest financials
You have ATO debt or a payment plan
Your credit score took a hit (even if it’s now stable)
You’re asking for under $100,000 (not attractive to banks)
Your business model doesn’t fit their internal criteria
The worst part? They often won’t tell you why. You’re left guessing, waiting, or worse — applying again and hurting your credit file in the process.
Where Are Businesses Really Getting Approved?
That’s where non-bank commercial lenders come in — and this is where we specialise.
Unlike banks, these lenders:
Approve in 24–72 hours
Accept low-doc or no-doc applications (e.g. just bank statements)
Consider applications with ATO debt or poor credit
Offer unsecured business loans (no property required)
Understand industry-specific challenges (like hospitality, construction, and seasonal trade)
We’ve built strong relationships with over 40 active business lenders — and here’s a breakdown of who’s helping business owners move forward right now.
Top Lenders Actually Approving Business Finance (No Banks Here)
1. Fast, Low-Doc & Unsecured Loans
These lenders are ideal for working capital, wages, BAS, and short-term cash flow.
Lumi – No financials required under $75K. Approved in 24 hours.
Moula – Uses live bank data. Great for businesses with clean revenue but limited paperwork.
Prospa – Trusted fintech for small business loans. Reliable, simple, and responsive.
OnDeck – Fast, unsecured business loans using smart credit scoring.
Bizcap – Great option for clients with weaker credit or ATO debt.
Capify – Business-friendly, fast-working loans with flexible terms.
Business Fuel – Excellent for short-term loans and rapid decisions.
2. Equipment & Asset Finance Specialists
Perfect for truck purchases, machinery upgrades, or fitouts with tax benefits.
Shift – Great for asset drawdowns, low-doc approvals, and flexible payments.
Liberty / Angle Finance – Prime and near-prime asset finance solutions with competitive rates.
Finance One Commercial – Custom credit assessment, helpful for imperfect credit.
Metro / Azora / Firstmac / Branded – Specialist lenders for work vehicles, utes, and equipment in construction, trades, or logistics.
Multipli – Innovative finance platform with options for recurring revenue or subscription-based businesses.
3. ATO-Debt Friendly & Complex Scenarios
These lenders are flexible with real-world challenges, like tax debt, defaults, or unique trading setups.
Bizcap – Approves even with major credit events or ATO debt.
Finance One Commercial – Deep-dive manual assessments with a “yes where others say no” approach.
Branded Financial – Trusted for asset deals with low deposits and flexibility.
4. Invoice Finance, Trade Finance & Growth Facilities
Great for B2B businesses, importers, or growing companies with large receivables.
Earlypay – Releasing cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
Moneytech – Trade and working capital solutions tailored to mid-size businesses.
What Makes These Lenders Different?
Speed: Some offer same-day approvals
Simplicity: Bank statements can be enough
No Real Estate Security Needed: Many deals are fully unsecured
Human-Based Decisions: Real underwriters, not algorithms
Flexible Structures: Seasonal payments, progress drawdowns, weekly repayment options
Most importantly: they want to help business owners win — even when the banks don’t.
How to Get Approved (and Avoid the Most Common Mistakes)
Here’s what we’ve seen work best:
Have a clear use of funds: Whether it’s to buy stock, pay wages, or upgrade equipment — lenders love clarity.
Be honest about your history: ATO debt? Defaults? No problem. Just be upfront so we can match you to the right lender.
Avoid applying everywhere yourself: Each “hard enquiry” damages your credit score. One wrong move can block your next three.
That’s why working with a broker like us is so important — we know who to approach, how to present your business, and how to structure it right the first time.
Why Business Owners Trust Casey Asset Finance
We’re not a call centre. We’re not here to push paper. We’re here to fight for your approval — and we’ve built a reputation doing exactly that.
Casey Asset Finance is led by Michael Pajar — a former specialised banker who’s helped hundreds of Australian business owners get funded. We act fast, speak your language, and only recommend finance when it genuinely helps.
Final Thought
Being declined by the bank isn’t the end — it’s just a sign that it’s time for something better. The lenders listed above are approving deals every single day — and we know how to get you in front of the right one.
Not sure where to start?
Just message Michael. There’s no pressure — just clarity on what’s actually possible for your business.
