◆ Business & Commercial Lending · Sydney and NSW

Business Finance
from People Who Get It

Sydney Metro Fund provides secured business lending to established businesses and property owners across Sydney and New South Wales. We are not a bank. We understand commercial reality, we move efficiently, and we genuinely want every borrower we work with to succeed.

First Mortgage$500K to $1.5M
Second Mortgage$250K to $1M
Business Loan$100K to $250K
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200+
Business loans funded
$0
Capital losses on settled loans
3
Loan structures available
2019
Lending since
We are not a bank. We do not assess borrowers by algorithm. We sit down, we listen, and we work out what the business genuinely needs and whether we can provide it.
Sydney Metro Fund: Lending Philosophy
How We Work With Borrowers

Empathetic.
Business-Like.
On Your Side.

The team at Sydney Metro Fund has been working with businesses for over four decades. We understand what businesses go through, and we know that access to the right finance at the right time can be the difference between a business that thrives and one that does not.

We are businesslike because we have to be. Discipline protects our borrowers as much as it protects our investors. But we are never cold. Every borrower we work with is a business with people behind it, and we never forget that.

We Listen First
Before any numbers are discussed, the team wants to understand the business: its history, its current position, what the loan is for, and what success looks like. A loan is a relationship, not a transaction.
We Move Efficiently
Banks can take months to assess a commercial loan. The team makes decisions quickly because we understand the business, we know the market, and we do not have bureaucratic approval layers to navigate.
We Are Clear and Direct
Every step of the lending process is explained clearly. What is agreed is documented. There are no surprises, no hidden conditions, and no ambiguity about what is expected of the borrower.
We Want You to Succeed
This is not a slogan. When borrowers meet their obligations and their businesses grow, our investors benefit and the fund grows. The success of our borrowers and our investors are genuinely aligned.
How We Choose Borrowers

The Six Criteria That Make
Our Borrowers Strong

This section matters as much to investors as it does to borrowers. The quality of the borrower pool is what makes this fund's track record possible. Every borrower in the fund has been personally assessed against the following criteria.

Business Purpose Only

Every loan must be used for commercial and business purposes. The fund does not make consumer loans. Loan funds must not be used for personal, household or domestic purposes. This is a fundamental eligibility requirement, not a preference.

Registered Property Security

All loans are secured by registered first or second mortgages over Australian real property, or by the assets of the business. No loan is advanced until the security is registered. The fund holds the right to enforce security in the event of default.

Personal Assessment: No Algorithms

The team personally assesses every borrower. No automated credit scoring. No tick-box systems. No overseas credit teams. The people who assess your loan are the same people who manage the fund and who understand the Sydney and NSW lending market from decades of direct experience.

Sydney and NSW Focus

Lending is focused on the Sydney metropolitan area and New South Wales. This is the market the team has operated in for over 40 years. The team understands property values, business conditions and economic cycles in this geography at a depth that no national lender can match.

Conservative LVR Discipline

Loan-to-value ratios are assessed conservatively against current market values. The team does not lend to the ceiling of what security might support. Conservative LVR discipline is part of what has produced 200 plus loans and zero capital losses. Full lending guidelines are in the Information Memorandum.

Established Businesses Only

The fund lends to established businesses and property owners with a track record. The team does not finance startup ventures or speculative projects. Borrowers must demonstrate a viable operating business or clear asset position that supports the loan and its repayment.

Three Loan Structures

Find the Structure
That Suits Your Situation

The fund offers three distinct loan structures. Each is designed for a specific type of borrower and security position. If you are unsure which applies to your situation, book a conversation with the team.

First Mortgage

First Registered Mortgage

Minimum$500,000
Maximum$1,500,000
Secured by first registered mortgage over real property
For property owners and businesses with unencumbered or clear-titled property
Commercial, residential and industrial real property considered
Business purpose only: not available for consumer or personal use
Apply for First Mortgage Finance
Second Mortgage

Second Registered Mortgage

Minimum$250,000
Maximum$1,000,000
Registered second mortgage where equity supports the additional lending
For borrowers with an existing first mortgage where usable equity remains
Combined LVR assessed conservatively against current property value
Business purpose only: all funds must be used for commercial purposes
Apply for Second Mortgage Finance
Business Loan

Business Loan

Minimum$100,000
Maximum$250,000
Secured by the assets of the business rather than real property mortgage
For established businesses requiring working capital or expansion finance
Business must demonstrate trading history and an ability to service the loan
Full lending criteria available in the Information Memorandum
Apply for a Business Loan

Not sure which structure suits your situation? Book a free conversation with the team. The team will assess your position, explain all available options, and help you determine the right structure before any formal application is submitted.

Book a Free Conversation →
Approved Business Purposes

Lending Across a Broad
Range of Business Needs

The fund lends for commercial and business purposes only. All of the following represent approved uses of SMF loan funds. Loans may not be used for consumer, personal, household or domestic purposes.

Business Expansion Capital
Property Acquisition (Business)
Working Capital Bridging
Commercial Development
Business Acquisition Finance
Refinancing from Higher-Cost Lenders
Equipment and Asset Finance
Construction Finance (Commercial)
Clean Energy Projects
Healthcare and Medical
Hospitality and Retail
Professional Services

Loan funds must be used for commercial and business purposes only and may not be used for consumer purposes. For full lending guidelines, please refer to the fund's Information Memorandum. The full lending criteria and arrears and default enforcement provisions are detailed in the IM.

Two Sides of the Same Story

What Our Lending Standards
Mean for Everyone Involved

The way SMF assesses borrowers matters equally to the borrower and the investor. Here is why, from both perspectives.

◆ For Borrowers

What this means
for your business

When you borrow from a lender who genuinely assesses your business and wants you to succeed, the relationship is different from the start. You work with people who understand your commercial reality.
You deal with decision-makers directly — not a relationship manager who escalates to a committee you never meet
You receive a clear, honest answer — if the loan is not a fit, the team will tell you quickly so you can pursue other options
You are not just a file number — the team knows your business and remains accessible throughout the life of the loan
Flexibility where banks cannot offer it — the fund can consider structures that rigid bank policy rules out entirely
Speed that matters commercially — decisions made in days, not the months a bank credit process can take
◆ For Investors

What this means
for your capital

The quality of the borrower pool is the foundation of the fund's performance. Every investor in this fund benefits directly from the discipline applied to every single lending decision.
Every borrower has been personally assessed — no algorithmic approvals, no delegated credit decisions the team has not personally reviewed
Every loan is secured by registered property — first or second mortgage over Australian real property, or business assets, before any funds advance
Business-purpose requirement filters quality — loans go to operating businesses, not speculative or consumer applications
The team's 40-year network produces quality borrowers — demand from quality applicants consistently exceeds available capital
The proof is 200 plus loans with zero losses — this track record is the outcome of consistent borrower selection discipline since 2019
The Application Process

Four Steps from
Enquiry to Finance Approval

The process is straightforward. The team guides every applicant through it directly. There is no obligation until a formal loan contract is signed.

1
Discuss Your Requirements
Book a conversation with the team to discuss your borrowing needs, the security you can offer, the purpose of the loan, and the amount you are seeking. This initial discussion is free, confidential and carries no obligation. The team will give you an honest view of whether your situation fits the fund's criteria before you commit to a formal application.
2
Initial Assessment
The team assesses your application against the fund's lending guidelines. This involves reviewing the security position, the loan-to-value ratio, the business purpose of the loan, and the borrower's capacity to service the debt. The team provides an indicative position promptly. If your application does not meet the criteria, you will be told clearly and quickly so you can explore other options without delay.
3
Formal Application and Documentation
If the initial assessment is positive, you will be invited to submit a formal application with supporting documentation. This includes property valuations, business financials, evidence of business purpose, and any other information relevant to your loan type. The team will advise you exactly what is required and assist you to compile the application efficiently.
4
Approval, Documentation and Drawdown
Once approved, the loan is formally documented by legal advisers, security is registered on the relevant property title or business assets, and funds are advanced to the borrower. Throughout the loan period, the team remains accessible and engaged. When you succeed in your business and repay your loan, everyone benefits.
Why SMF Over a Bank

What Businesses Get
That Banks Cannot Offer

Sydney Metro Fund is not a replacement for your banking relationship. But for specific business finance needs where a bank's policy, speed or appetite does not match your situation, the fund offers a genuine alternative.

Speed That Matches Commercial Reality
Bank commercial credit decisions can take three to six months. The fund assesses applications on a personal basis and responds quickly. When a business needs finance, time is often the most critical factor. The team understands this and moves accordingly.
You Deal With Decision-Makers Directly
The person you speak with at SMF is the person who assesses your loan. There is no relationship manager passing your file to a credit committee in another city. Decisions are made by people who know the Sydney and NSW market and who have the experience to make sound judgements quickly.
Flexibility in Structure
Rigid bank policy rules out many legitimate business lending scenarios. The fund assesses each application on its individual merits. Where the security is sound, the business purpose is clear and the borrower has a credible repayment position, the team will look for a way to structure a loan that works.
Four Decades of Business Lending Experience
The fund's managing director has been privately lending to businesses for over 40 years. That experience means the team understands business cycles, property markets, and commercial risk at a depth that no automated system and few individual lenders can match.

Ready to Discuss Your Requirements?

The first conversation is free, confidential and carries no obligation. The team will tell you clearly whether your situation fits the fund's lending criteria before you commit any time to a formal application.

Your Business.
Our Capital. Mutual Success.

When our borrowers succeed and repay their loans, our investors receive their returns and the fund grows. That alignment is not incidental. It is the foundation of everything the fund does. If you are an established business owner looking for a lender who wants you to succeed as much as you do, the team would like to hear from you.

AFSL 544582
Australian Financial Services Licence held by the fund manager
Business Purpose Only
All loans for commercial and business purposes: never consumer lending
Registered Mortgage Security
Every loan secured before funds are advanced: no exceptions
200+ Loans. Zero Losses.
Every settled loan in the fund's history has been recovered in full

© 2026 Sydney Metro Fund. All rights reserved. AFSL 544582 | ABN 83 111 327 747

Sydney Metro Fund holds Australian Financial Services Licence 544582 (AFSL 544582). ABN 83 111 327 747. All loans are made for commercial and business purposes only and are not regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth). All loans are secured by registered first or second mortgages or by the assets of the borrowing entity. Lending is subject to the fund's lending guidelines as detailed in the Information Memorandum. The Information Memorandum is available to qualifying wholesale investors on request. Target returns to investors are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Sydney Metro Fund