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Smarter ways to access business finance in 2025

17 October 2025
by Guest contributor: Simon Wood | First Point Group
6-minute read

At BG Private, we work closely with business owners who are navigating an increasingly challenging lending environment. Over recent months, many of our clients – even those with strong trading performance – have experienced delays, reduced loan limits, or unexpected declines when seeking finance.

To help unpack what’s really happening in the market, we invited First Point Group – a long standing partner of BG Private – to share insights on the shifting credit landscape and what business owners can do to secure the funding they need in 2025.

The “SME Funding Gap” is real – but it’s also an opportunity

Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy, yet many are finding it harder than ever to access finance through traditional banks.

Despite strong demand – with business loan applications still trending upward according to the Equifax Business Credit Demand Index (Q1 2025) – many banks have tightened their lending criteria. In effect, there’s now a “funding gap” between what businesses need and what the major banks are willing to provide.

The good news is that this gap is increasingly being filled by a new wave of non-bank lenders, private credit funds, and fintech finance providers, offering faster, more flexible, and more personalised lending solutions.

Why accessing bank finance has become more challenging

Several factors are driving this shift:

Regulatory pressure: Banks are required to hold more capital against business loans, making SME lending less profitable compared to residential mortgages.
Economic uncertainty: Slower consumer spending, rising costs, and rate volatility have led to more conservative credit policies.
Automation bias: Credit assessment has become more digital and standardised, leaving less room for a lender to understand the story behind your financials.

This means many good businesses – especially those with complex financial structures or variable cashflow – no longer fit neatly within a traditional bank’s risk framework.

The rise of alternative lenders

Non-bank and fintech lenders now make up an estimated 10% of total SME lending volume in Australia. These lenders have carved out a niche by using smarter data, flexible terms, and faster approval processes.

Options include:

Fintech business lenders offering short term unsecured funding or revolving credit facilities
Specialist equipment financiers with deep industry knowledge
Private credit and non-bank funders providing structured loans for growth, acquisition, or refinancing
Invoice and trade finance providers improving cashflow

For many businesses, these alternatives can be game changers – particularly when timing or flexibility matters more than the lowest headline rate.

How BG Private and First Point Group can help

For clients of BG Private, navigating this new landscape doesn’t need to be daunting. Through our partnership with First Point Group, we combine deep financial insight with expert lending advice – ensuring you have access to a broad range of funding solutions across banks, non-banks, and private lenders.

Here’s how we typically help our clients bridge the gap:

Strategic planning before funding: We assess how lending fits into your broader business goals – growth, succession, or cashflow stabilisation
Financial readiness: We prepare clear and credible financials, ensuring your business is presented in a way that appeals to lenders
Exploring options: We compare a range of bank and non-bank offers to identify the most competitive and flexible solution
End-to-end coordination: We work collaboratively to manage the process from application through to settlement – saving you time and ensuring transparency

What business owners can do now

Whether you’re preparing for expansion, refinancing, or simply securing working capital, a few proactive steps can make all the difference:

Understand your cashflow: Be able to articulate not just historical performance, but future capacity to service debt
Address ATO and short term debt early: Clearing or restructuring small liabilities can strengthen your lending profile
Document your story: Lenders – especially non-banks – value context. Outline your business model, growth drivers, and future plans
Be open to hybrid solutions: The best outcomes sometimes involve a mix of facilities, such as combining an equipment loan with a cashflow facility

Real world example: turning a ‘No’ into a growth opportunity

One of our shared clients, a Melbourne based construction business, was recently declined by their bank for an equipment loan due to changes in sector risk ratings. Within two weeks, First Point Group secured funding through a specialist lender who understood the business’s cashflow cycle.

The loan was slightly more expensive, but the new machinery lifted productivity and project capacity – boosting profitability beyond the cost of the finance.

This is a perfect example of how understanding the broader lending market can transform a setback into an opportunity.

In summary

The lending environment has evolved, but with the right preparation and advice, it’s still possible to access competitive, tailored funding that supports your goals.

At BG Private, we believe that helping clients interpret their financial position and connect with the right funding partners is a natural extension of great advisory work. If you’re considering new finance or want to review your current facilities, talk to your BG Private Advisor. Together with First Point Group, we can help you navigate the options with clarity and confidence.

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