There are times when your business needs funding, but the banks won’t play ball. Maybe your income doesn’t tick all the right boxes. Maybe your property security is non-standard. Maybe your scenario is too urgent. Or maybe your funding needs don’t fit into neat, pre-approved boxes.
This is where complex business loans come in.
Whether you’re refinancing urgent debt, raising funds for business expansion, or juggling multiple securities and lenders, complex lending gives you a path forward when the mainstream shuts its doors. In this guide, we’ll break down what complex business loans are, the structures often used, and how Sydney businesses are solving real challenges through flexible loan arrangements.
What Are Complex Business Loans?
A complex business loan isn’t defined by one product. Instead, it’s a loan structured around non-standard conditions that don’t align with conventional lending policies.
That could mean:
- Your income is irregular (e.g. seasonal, cash-heavy, or not yet tax-returned)
- You need funds urgently and can’t wait for bank timeframes
- You’re using a combination of properties for security, including partial ownership
- You’re behind on repayments, under pressure, or have defaults or arrears
- You’re trying to refinance or consolidate existing facilities with non-bank lenders
- You’re borrowing under a company or trust structure with layered ownership
In other words, complex business loans are designed to solve multi-layered problems.
Common Types of Complex Loan Structures
1. Blended Loans With First and Second Mortgages
This is common when you need more capital than your existing equity allows through a single loan. The first mortgage lender may be a traditional bank or private lender, while the second mortgage is layered on top — often at a higher rate, but much faster to secure.
Example use case:
- You’ve got a $2 million property with a $1.2m first mortgage
- You need $400k fast, but the first mortgage lender won’t extend
- A second mortgage lender can step in with the additional $400k
This layered approach is called a blended loan and is common in complex lending.
2. Secured Loans With Caveats
When there’s no room for a second mortgage, or speed is critical, secured loans with caveats can be used. A caveat is a legal notice that prevents the property from being sold or refinanced without the lender’s consent. It’s fast to register and doesn’t require consent from the first mortgage holder.
These are ideal for:
- Urgent short-term funding (settlement in 24–72 hours)
- Bridging finance between transactions
- Covering urgent ATO debts or wages
Caveat loans are higher-risk and usually short-term (1–12 months), but they are a key tool in complex bridging loans.
3. Cross-Collateralised Loans
Some complex business loans are secured by multiple properties — residential, commercial, or a mix — with different ownership structures (personal name, company, or SMSF). These are cross-collateralised and may involve multiple title holders, trust layers, or even part ownerships.
Structuring these deals requires both experience and access to the right lenders who can assess the deal holistically — not just by ticking boxes.
When Are Complex Loans Used?
Not every business needs complexity. But when it’s required, it’s often mission critical.
Scenarios that typically require complex lending:
- You’re acquiring a distressed asset and need to settle quickly before due diligence is complete
- You’ve got ATO debt or suppliers chasing payment and need urgent liquidity
- Your business is profitable but your last two years’ tax returns don’t reflect that
- You want to refinance several facilities across properties with different valuations and loan terms
- You’re funding a development but don’t yet have pre-sales or a DA
- You need to release equity from a commercial or partially-leased asset
Each of these is unique. That’s why complex business loans are rarely offered by traditional lenders. They require manual assessment and often private or non-bank funding.
Our Case Study: How a $5.7m Blended Facility Bridged the Gap for a Property Transition
When a long-time client returned to us with a pressing settlement timeline, we immediately knew a standard bank loan wouldn’t move quickly enough.
The client had just sold their primary residence in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and had found a new home. However, the timing of the sale and purchase didn’t line up — they needed to settle on the new property before receiving the funds from their sale. Traditional banks, weighed down by inflexible processes and long turnaround times, were unable to deliver within the needed timeframe.
Despite being an ideal borrower — strong equity position, sound financial history, and a clear exit strategy — the client was once again caught in bureaucratic delays.
Our Strategy: First and Second Mortgages Over Two Properties
We assessed the position and moved quickly. Within days, we arranged a $5.7 million blended loan facility:
- A first mortgage over the new property being purchased
- A second mortgage secured against the client’s existing residence (which was under contract and due to settle shortly)
This dual mortgage approach enabled the client to access a large loan amount without selling prematurely or rushing the settlement. The structure allowed us to spread the loan security over two assets while aligning the term and exit plan to the client’s timeline.
There was no protracted committee approval process. No weeks of waiting on valuations. No delays in communication. Just a clear, tailored solution.
The Outcome: Seamless Transition Without Bureaucracy
The client settled their new property on time and transitioned smoothly between homes without interruption. They avoided the stress of bridging loan delays, sidestepped inflexible mainstream lenders, and had direct contact with decision-makers throughout.
This type of complex bridging loan using first and second mortgages is often the only workable solution in fast-moving markets like Sydney, where timing can determine whether a property opportunity is secured or lost.
How Can We Help You?
Complex business loans don’t fit into tick-box applications. They require lenders who can see beyond the numbers and design a solution around urgency, flexibility, and your unique position.
At Secured Lending, we specialise in:
- Complex business loans in Sydney and nationwide, tailored to your needs
- Complex loan structures for companies, trusts, and layered ownership
- Blended loans with first and second mortgages to unlock larger capital
- Secured loans with caveats for urgent funding where time is critical
- Complex bridging loans that avoid traditional bottlenecks
We work fast, and keep your needs at the centre of the process.
If you’re stuck in a scenario that traditional lenders won’t touch, or you’re facing a tight deadline, get in touch. We’ll take the time to understand your situation — and build the right solution to match.
Call 1300 795 175, email us at info@securedlending.com.au, or visit securedlending.com.au to see more real examples of how we help business owners move forward
