Refinance / Restructuring
What Lenders Offer Refinancing Options?
5 min read- Finance Guide
- Updated 2026
Quick answer
Lender categories commonly include
4 5
Main lender types
- Best for Different borrower types
- Policy style Standard or flexible
- Common options Prime to specialist
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Common lender types
Major and regional banks
Often suit straightforward refinance applications with strong credit, standard properties and lower risk profiles.
Customer owned banks
Mutual banks, credit unions and building societies may offer competitive refinance options and service focused lending.
Non bank lenders
Can suit borrowers needing policy flexibility, alternative income treatment, or solutions outside mainstream bank policy.
Specialist lenders
May help in niche or more complex situations such as unusual securities, credit impairment, or transitional refinance needs.
How lender types differ
Different lender categories do not all compete on the same things. Some focus on price, some on service, and some on flexibility.
Pricing focus
Sharper rates for cleaner files
Mainstream lenders often compete heavily on rate where the property and borrower fit standard policy.
Policy flexibility
Broader income assessment
Some lenders are more open to self employed income, alternative documentation, or borrowers with recent changes in circumstances.
Security appetite
Standard or specialised property
Some lenders prefer standard suburban property, while others consider niche securities or higher complexity files.
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How lenders assess refinance options
Regardless of lender type, refinance assessment usually comes back to a few core areas:
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01. Current income and serviceabilityCan repayments be supported
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02. How the loan has been managed and repayment historyHow the loan has been managed
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03. Property type, location and valuationHow acceptable the security is
Common problems
Mainstream bank says no
A major bank may decline a file that falls outside standard policy, even where the borrower has otherwise been repaying well.
Possible solutions include:
Try a lender with broader policy- Reduce the requested loan amount
- Use extra equity if available
Non bank pricing higher than expected
A more flexible lender may solve the policy problem, but the rate or fees may be higher than a mainstream option.
Possible solutions include:
- Compare total cost not just rate
- Assess whether flexibility is worth it
- Refinance again later if profile improves
Non bank lenders shortfall
Borrowers with unusual income, recent credit issues or niche securities may need a specialist lender rather than a mainstream lender.
Possible solutions include:
- Provide stronger supporting documents
- Use a specialist or transitional lender
- Refinance to a mainstream lender later
Steps to find the right lender type
Step
01
Work out why you want to refinance
Step
02
Estimate value, equity and target loan size
Step
03
Prepare income, loan and property documents
Step
04
Compare lender categories and policy fit
Step
05
Apply with the lender most suited to the scenario
Step
06
Complete approval, discharge and settlement
Speak with a Property Finance Specialist
Property development finance can vary significantly depending on the project size, location, approvals, and the developer's experience.
A specialist can review your project and help determine which lenders may be able to fund it.
Speak with a finance specialist about your refinance options.
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