Quick Snapshot
- Loan Overview: At Secured Lending, we funded a $5 million loan with an 82% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) to help a seasoned developer acquire a prime industrial warehouse in Port Adelaide
- Problem: Traditional lenders rejected the deal due to the high LVR and rigid credit policies, risking the borrower missing out on a strategic acquisition
- Borrower Profile: The borrower was an experienced developer with a strong track record, deep local market knowledge, and a clear exit strategy, seeking bridging finance to secure a time-sensitive opportunity
- Solution: At Secured Lending, we used our own funds and took a holistic view of the deal, assessing asset quality, borrower capability, and exit plans, enabling fast settlement without external credit committee delays
- Outcome: The deal highlighted our flexible, pragmatic approach and ability to fund high-potential projects overlooked by traditional lenders, helping the borrower move forward with confidence and momentum
Commercial lending is often rigid. Risk is measured by formulas. Tick-boxes rule out nuance. And in the process, strong deals can be missed. That’s what made this $5 million loan for an industrial warehouse in Port Adelaide so significant — not just for the borrower, but for how we at Secured Lending operate differently.
The borrower, a seasoned developer with a strong track record, needed short-term capital to secure a strategic industrial asset. The deal came with an 82% loan-to-value ratio (LVR) — a figure that would typically raise red flags with banks or funders tied to committee approval processes. But instead of declining the loan based on a single metric, we looked deeper.
Why Traditional Lenders Wouldn’t Touch It
In today’s lending environment, an LVR above 80% is often a hard stop. Most institutions operate under layers of investment committee pressure, tight credit policies, and shareholder risk aversion. Even when a deal makes sense, the process can be too slow — or simply too inflexible.
With this deal, a traditional lender would’ve asked for weeks of financials, valuations, and reviews — time the borrower didn’t have. This was a competitive, time-sensitive acquisition, and they needed a partner who could act fast, not stall on policy.
How We Made It Work
As a direct lender with our own capital, we’re not bound by the same institutional constraints. We assess every deal based on commercial merit, not algorithms. Here’s what gave us confidence:
1. The Borrower’s Track Record:
This wasn’t a speculative play by a first-time investor. The developer had completed multiple successful projects and had deep knowledge of the Port Adelaide market. Their reputation and execution history gave us the assurance we needed.
2. A Strong Asset:
The warehouse was located in a thriving industrial precinct with strong demand and growth prospects. Our in-house property team conducted due diligence and verified the valuation, location, and leasing potential.
3. A Clear Exit Strategy:
The borrower had a defined plan to refinance within 6 months, backed by their broader development pipeline. There was a clear path to repayment and a solid reason for the short-term bridge.
4. Purpose-Built Bridging Finance:
This was not a long-term, high-risk loan. It was a strategic bridge designed to enable fast acquisition and unlock downstream growth. That distinction made the LVR far less concerning when viewed in context.
We funded this deal quickly using our own capital — no waiting on external stakeholders. The result was a clean, efficient settlement and a grateful borrower who could now focus on scaling their next phase of developments.
Why Our Model Works
We don’t rely on red tape. We rely on judgement.
When assessing large, non-standard transactions, we focus on the full picture — asset quality, borrower capability, exit clarity, and overall commercial logic. A high LVR doesn’t scare us when the surrounding fundamentals are strong.
We also work with urgency. Our internal process allows us to approve and settle large loans in days, not weeks. That responsiveness is often the difference between securing a prime asset or missing out altogether.
Our Core Lending Values in Action
This deal in Port Adelaide highlighted everything we stand for:
Flexibility: Every deal is assessed on its own merits. No rigid lending box.
Understanding: We go beyond the numbers to assess risk intelligently.
Efficiency: Our capital. Our credit team. Fast, practical execution.
Partnership: We build real relationships, not one-off transactions.
Lending Solutions We Offer
At Secured Lending, we provide short-term capital when traditional lenders can’t — or won’t. Our products include:
All are backed by Australian property and built to serve real-world scenarios where speed and flexibility are essential.
Need a Funding Partner Who Understands Urgency?
If you or your client are facing a time-sensitive opportunity or need a commercial loan that doesn’t fit the traditional mould, speak with our team. We bring clarity, speed, and tailored capital solutions to deals others won’t touch.
📞 Call us on 1300 795 175
📧 Email info@securedlending.com.au
