The Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM), through its Australian Business Securitisation Fund (ABSF) has made two new investments.

It has injected more than $100 million into two SME lenders - $87.5 million into GetCapital, and $30 million into OnDeck, a peer-to-peer provider.

The Government also provided $46 million in GetCapital in November 2020, via the 'Structured Finance Support Fund'.

This also marks the second round of small business funding from the ABSF after it injected funding into Judo Bank in April 2020.

On Wednesday NAB announced a new SME loan offering up to $2 million across a 30 year term - an Australian first.

For loans secured with commercial property, the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 80%, while with residential backing it's up to 100%.

The 'FastTrack Business Loan' has an advertised interest rate of 2.45% p.a. fixed for three years, with eligibility criteria applicable.

NAB small business executive, Ana Marinkovic, said this is a unique offering.

"Small business is the life blood of the Australian economy," Ms Marinkovic said.

"The loan terms offer the potential for them to make a pragmatic decision between potentially paying rent or actually buying and owning their premises."

SME lending bounces back

A Reserve Bank Domestic Markets paper released Thursday shows a bounceback in small business lending since the depths of Covid-led economic turmoil in 2020.

"Following a period of relatively soft demand for finance last year, liaison with banks suggested there had been a growing appetite for business borrowing in the period prior to the recent lockdowns," the paper's authors said.

"More recently, surveys of small businesses indicate that access to finance has become less difficult since mid 2020, in part reflecting the improved economic outlook.

"Consistent with this, banks reported in liaison that they had been seeking more opportunities to lend to businesses, including smaller businesses.

"This followed a tightening in access to finance in early 2020 and longer-than-usual loan approval times, as banks became more cautious about lending to new customers and to affected sectors.

"At the same time, banks were managing operational constraints due to a higher volume of customer enquiries."

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Bridging loans ramp up

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Specialist lender TechLend has announced it has hit $100 million in bridging loan applications after launching only a few months ago.

Bridging loans 'bridge' the gap in funding between selling the home and buying a new one.

CEO Aaron Bassin (pictured left, with co-founder Nick Jacobs) says the lender plugs a significant hole in the home lending market.

"We are seeing borrowers capitalise by purchasing new property before selling their existing one and avoid months in temporary living situations and overwhelming mortgages," Mr Bassin said.

"It's a solution fit for all homeowners, including those who may not meet the strict lending criteria required by the major banks."

TechLend offers borrowers same-day pre-approval, featuring a setup cost of 1.99% for the first 90 days.

The loan technically accrues zero interest for the first three months, apart from the 1.99% 'fee'.

After this period a 5.99% p.a. interest rate applies (6.25% p.a. comparison rate*), which is 50 basis points higher than when the brand launched in July.

Up to $3 million is provided in short-term funding with a 75% LVR, with loan terms up to six months.

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      Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

      All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here.

      The comparison rates in this table are based on a loan of $30,000 and a term of 5 years unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates are for unsecured personal loans only for the relevant amounts and terms. The comparison rates for car loans and secured personal loans are for secured loans unless indicated otherwise. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.

      Monthly repayment figures are estimates only, exclude fees and are based on the advertised rate for the term and for the loan amount entered. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes. Rates correct as of April 20, 2024. View disclaimer.

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