Business finance that lands this week, not next month.
- Funding available within 2 business days on unsecured facilities
- Loans from $20K to $10M, secured and unsecured
- Business owners, company directors, and self-employed ABN holders
- Short trading history and seasonal revenue considered
- Full-doc (tax returns), low-doc or alt-doc (BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter instead), and no-doc options across our 90+ lender panel
A business loan is the most common way to fund growth, cover a gap, or restructure debt that has built up over time. What varies enormously is which lender will do it, on what security, and at what price. A well-documented business with property equity has very different options to a two-year-old ABN with strong turnover and no property. Settled With Joe works across a panel of 90+ bank, non-bank, and specialist lenders, so the same scenario can be priced properly rather than fitted to whichever lender you happened to approach first. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and quickly what is achievable for your situation.
Who we can help access finance
- Established businesses funding growth: new premises, additional staff, a larger order book, or a second location.
- Self-employed borrowers and ABN holders whose income is real but does not present neatly in two years of tax returns.
- Businesses consolidating several short-term facilities into one loan with a single, manageable repayment.
- Owners with property equity who want that equity working at a sharper rate than an unsecured facility.
- Trades, contractors, and service businesses with strong turnover but limited hard assets to offer as security.
- Businesses carrying an ATO or tax debt that need it dealt with as part of a broader funding solution.
- Owners who want their bank, non-bank, and specialist options compared properly before they commit to one.
How Business Loans Work
A business loan is a lump sum repaid over an agreed term, either secured against property or business assets, or unsecured and assessed on the trading account. Secured loans run longer, up to 15 years against property, and price well below unsecured facilities. Unsecured loans are quicker to arrange and are sized against turnover rather than asset value, so they cost more and run over shorter terms. Most lenders will also take a general security agreement over the business and a director guarantee regardless of structure. Joseph Farhat and his team review your financials, your security position, and what the funds are for, match the scenario to the right lender from the 90+ panel, and manage the application through to settlement.
What Lenders Assess for Business Loans
Serviceability
the lender needs to see the business can carry the repayment out of normal trading, not just at its best month.
Time in business
banks generally want two or more years of trading history. Non-bank lenders will often consider 6 to 12 months where turnover is strong.
Documentation available
full financials and tax returns open up the sharpest pricing. Bank statements, BAS, or an accountant letter open up low-doc options at a higher rate.
Security offered
property is the strongest position and brings the rate down. Business assets, debtors, or an unsecured structure widen access but cost more.
Bank conduct
dishonours, overdrawn days, and irregular deposits affect approval and pricing more than most owners expect.
Existing debt
other facilities, equipment finance, and any ATO arrangement all count towards what a lender will approve.
Purpose of funds
a specific, productive use such as equipment, premises, or a confirmed contract is assessed far more favourably than a general top-up.
The Business Loan Process: What to Expect
- Talk to Joseph Farhat and his team about the amount you need, what it is for, and what documentation you can produce. You will get an honest read on what is achievable before you apply anywhere.
- Provide the basics: recent business bank statements, your ABN and structure details, and financials or BAS where you have them. We will tell you exactly what each likely lender needs.
- We match your scenario to the lenders on the panel most likely to approve it at a sensible price, rather than sending it to whoever is closest. Every application is recorded as an enquiry on your credit file, so this step matters.
- The lender assesses the file and issues an approval with the rate, term, fees, security, and any conditions set out. We go through it with you, including the total cost over the term, before you sign anything.
- Settlement takes place, funds are released, and repayments begin on the agreed cycle. We stay in contact through the term so you have someone to call if the position changes.
Indicative Finance Options
| Lender Type | Indicative Rate | Security | Typical Loan Range | Loan Term | Speed to Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | From ~7% p.a. | Property security usually required | $50K to $10M | 1 to 15 years | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Non-Bank Lenders | From ~11% p.a. | Unsecured, business assets, or property | $20K to $5M | 3 months to 5 years | Within 2 business days |
| Private Finance | From ~1.2% per month | Property security | $100K to $10M | 1 to 24 months | Available for unique scenarios |
Indicative figures only. Actual rates and terms depend on your project, financial position, property location, and lender assessment at the time of application. Rates are subject to change.
Why borrowers choose Settled With Joe for a business loan
We represent you, not the lender
Joseph Farhat and his team act in your interest from the first conversation through to settlement.
One conversation, not five applications
we approach the lenders most likely to approve your file first, so fewer enquiries are recorded on your credit file.
90+ lenders on one panel
bank, non-bank, and specialist, so a well-documented file can go to a bank at a sharper rate and a complex one still has options.
The gap between lenders is real money
several percentage points on the rate, years on the term, and whether the family home has to be offered as security.
We know who accepts what
which lenders take bank statements instead of full financials, which lend against your security position, and which understand your industry.
Managed end to end
Joseph Farhat and his team review your financials, security, and purpose, package the file properly, and manage it through to settlement.
Private finance for unique scenarios
where bank and non-bank lenders are not the right fit, we can introduce you to private finance options.
Usually no direct cost to you
as a broker we are typically paid by the lender on settlement.
An honest answer early
if the timing matters, tell us early and we will tell you what is realistically achievable.
Frequently asked questions
What is a business loan?
A business loan is a lump sum advanced to a business and repaid over an agreed term. It can be secured against property or business assets, or unsecured and assessed on the trading account. Secured loans run longer and price lower. Unsecured loans are faster to arrange, sized against turnover rather than asset value, and cost more over a shorter term. Funds are commonly used for growth, equipment, premises, restructuring existing debt, or covering a known gap.
How much can I borrow with a business loan?
It depends on your security position and your serviceability. Unsecured facilities are usually sized against monthly turnover, commonly landing between $20,000 and $2,000,000. Where property is available as security, lending can extend to $10,000,000 and beyond at a materially lower rate. Joseph Farhat and his team will review your financials and security and give you an indicative range before you apply.
Do I need to provide property security?
Not always. Plenty of business lending is written unsecured or against business assets and debtors, assessed on the strength of the trading account. Most lenders will still take a general security agreement over the business and a director guarantee. Offering property equity is optional, but it usually improves the rate, the term, and the amount available. Joseph Farhat and his team will show you both structures so you can see what the security is actually buying you.
How fast can a business loan be funded?
Unsecured facilities with clean bank statements can often be approved the same day and funded within 2 business days. Secured lending takes longer because the lender needs a valuation and the security has to be documented and settled, which commonly runs 2 to 6 weeks. Where the timing is tight, Joseph Farhat and his team will identify the fastest appropriate lender on the panel and manage the process to keep it moving.
Can I get a business loan with low-doc or no-doc?
Often, yes. Many lenders on the panel will assess a business on bank statements, BAS, or an accountant letter rather than full financials and tax returns. The trade-off is straightforward: less documentation generally means a higher rate and a shorter term. Full financials open up the sharpest pricing. Neither is right or wrong, it depends on what you can produce and how quickly you need the funds. Joseph Farhat and his team will lay out both paths so you can choose with the numbers in front of you.
Do you work with borrowers with bad credit?
Yes, we do. Defaults, past arrears, or a director with a mark on their personal file do not rule your business out, and it is not something we will make you feel awkward about. Several lenders on our panel weigh recent trading and account conduct more heavily than a credit score, and will price for the risk rather than decline it. What helps most is telling us early, so we approach the right lender first instead of adding enquiries to your file. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly what is achievable before you apply anywhere.
What does a business loan cost?
Secured lending against property starts from around 7% per annum. Unsecured facilities generally start from around 11% per annum, and some lenders quote a fixed dollar cost rather than a rate, which is worth converting before you compare. Most loans carry an establishment fee, and some carry an early repayment cost. Because the term drives the total, the headline rate on its own tells you very little. Joseph Farhat and his team will set out the rate, the fees, and the total repayment for your scenario before you proceed.
Can I get a business loan if I have an ATO tax debt?
Yes, in many cases. An ATO debt does not automatically rule you out. Some lenders will fund a business while a payment arrangement is in place, and others will fund the payout of the debt as part of the loan. What lenders want to see is that the debt is acknowledged, that there is a plan, and that the business can carry both commitments. Disclosing it early does far less damage than a lender finding it during assessment. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you which lenders on the panel treat tax debt sensibly.
Why work with Settled With Joe to arrange your business loan?
Because you get one conversation instead of a round of applications, and a genuine comparison at the end of it. Most of the people we help are self-employed business owners, company directors, and ABN holders whose position does not present neatly on paper, even when the business is trading well. Those situations are not unusual to us and there is no judgement in the conversation. What matters is your serviceability, your security position, and what the funds are for. Our panel covers 90+ bank, non-bank, and specialist lenders, so a well-documented file can go to a bank at a sharper rate, and there are still options when the documentation is thin or the money is needed this week. We are based in Sydney and work with borrowers Australia-wide. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and early whether we can help and what is realistically achievable in your timeframe.
Do you give financial advice?
No. We do not guide you on your finances, nor give financial advice. We focus on outcomes and solutions of presenting your unique scenario to the right lender so you can access funding in a timely and compliant manner.
Do you help with business loans outside Sydney?
Yes. Settled With Joe is based in Sydney and arranges business loans Australia-wide, covering both metro and regional areas. We work with clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, as well as regional areas including Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba. Lender appetite and policy can vary by location and by industry. Joseph Farhat and his team will identify which lenders on the panel are the best fit for your business and timeframe.
