Industry News

RBA Increases Interest Rates at October Meeting

The RBA announced another rise for interest rates at its October meeting which may have impacts for business finance and motivate businesses to act on acquisitions. The signs were there that the Reserve Bank Board would call for another cash rate rise in October, but the commentary has been increasing for the central bank to commence easing up on rate hikes. Governor Philip Lowe in the accompanying monthly statement acknowledged that rates had been increased substantially in a short time period. This was noted as being a factor which the Board reflected on in making the latest decision. That decision was to increase the official cash rate from 2.35% by a further 0.25% to 2.6%. This follows on from four monthly rises of 0.5% and the 0.25% increase in May. Placing the cash rate at the highest it has been in 9 years. While the October rise was less than the 50 basis points that some expected, there are strong... Read More Caret Right

Jobs and Skills Summit – outcomes, opportunities and options

The Jobs and Skills Summit delivered positive outcomes for some businesses while others may require finance to support their operation in the shorter term. As a result of many migrant workers, temporary visa holders and international students leaving Australia in the early stages of the pandemic and not yet returning, the domestic labour market has been extremely tight. Unemployment has hit a near record low of 3.4% and the result is intense pressure on many business, constrained capacity to produce and lower production and productivity. The labour shortage has been flagged as a contributor to inflation due to the supply limitations it creates. These are issues noted by the RBA in recent monthly statements. With many businesses facing major problems recruiting staff to fill roles to enable full production, owners and operators would be looking to the Jobs and Skills Summit to deliver solutions. Solutions are clearly required to address immediate staffing issues as well as better equip the country... Read More Caret Right

RBA September Rate Hike – Finance Outcomes

The RBA lifted the official cash rate again at its September Board meeting with the 50 basis points hike having potential implications for business finance. Businesses already feeling the effects of rising costs and labour market pressures may now be facing higher interest rates across a range of business finance products. The decision highlights the need for business owners to focus on achieving cheaper interest rates and more amenable conditions when sourcing a range of loans. The outlook for rates can be important considerations for those intending to invest in new asset acquisitions or are requiring finance to support and grow the business moving forward. The statement issued by the RBA Governor following the 6 September Board meeting offers some indication of the RBA’s rationale and intentions re further rates. Governor Lowe further elaborated on this matters and other issues in a speech delivered in Sydney on 8 September. These documents can be worth reviewing for business owners to stay... Read More Caret Right

Is now the time to take on new business finance? Latest Unemployment Data

With a further drop in unemployment in July and more RBA rate rises ahead, operators may have questions around timing to take on new business finance. The now 48 year record low unemployment level as of July, signals the continuing tightness in the labour market which is a key point noted by the RBA in guiding its rate decisions. The tightness of the current labour market can have impacts for interest rates but also for the business prospects. If not able to fill all its job roles, a business may not be well-placed to forecast optimum production let alone growth. We provide an overview of the latest information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in relation to wages growth and employment and possible fall-out in regard to interest rates and business finance. The wages Unemployment at 48 Year Low The ABS release of the unemployment data series for July 2022  may send up red flags for some businesses that have... Read More Caret Right

August RBA Rate Rise – Finance Effects

The RBA rate rise decision for August and the forecast for additional rises signals rises in business finance rates but cost-effective loans are still available. The rise of 0.5% announced by the RBA Board on 2 August was widely expected by lenders, economists, analysts and the business community. The amount of 0.5% was possibly even lower than some anticipated with at least analyst tipping a full 1% rise. The expectations were elevated after the publication of the latest data series for both inflation and employment by the ABS. Inflation at 6.1% and unemployment at 3.5% were certain to be key considerations by the RBA Board in its August decision as it mentioned waiting for incoming data in its July statement. While expected the increase will come as yet another blow to business operators seeking new finance who are working on recovering from downturns during the pandemic and facing challenges in fully-staffing their operations to achieve full capacity output levels. RBA... Read More Caret Right

June Inflation Data Supports Further Interest Rates Rises

The June inflation data supports forecasts of further interest rates rises but cheaper rates can be achieved through specialist business finance lenders. The RBA noted in statements earlier in the year that the rate rises would take some time to have an effect on inflation. So the rise in the June quarter came as little surprise. But on the back of the significant fall in unemployment reported earlier in July, these latest figures will certainly support the RBA’s next rate rise decision. The sharp rise in inflation since late 2021 is the main purpose of the recent RBA rate hikes. Additional rises may give further reason to increase rates by more significant amounts and over more months. For businesses planning new asset acquisitions such as trucks, equipment and motor vehicle, being armed with the information around inflation and interest rates may assist in budgeting for such major purchases. Rises in the cash rate flow through the lending markets. Often we... Read More Caret Right

RBA July Rate Decision – what it means for business finance

After two months of significant rate rises, all eyes were on the RBA July rate decision. As predicted and pre-empted, the Reserve Bank Board lifted the cash rate by another 0.5% at its meeting on Tuesday 5 July. The RBA July rate decision sees the cash rate at 1.35% and represents a 1.25% increase in just 3 months and a wake-up call for those needing business finance. Significant increases and based on comments by Philip Lowe, Governor of the RBA, July will not be the last rate rise this year. The recent rises in the cash rate are a winding back of what the bank described as extraordinary support which was provided to stimulate the economy and returning interest rates to normal levels while addressing soaring inflation rates. Rate rise decisions by the RBA result in interest rate rises across loan markets including business finance products. Though the timing and amount of any lender rate rises will be guided by... Read More Caret Right

Tax Effective Business Finance Options 2022/23

As the new financial year gets underway, it’s opportune for businesses to review their finance options in light of current taxation measures. While a cheap interest rate is integral to cost-effective business finance, tax deductions can represent a real saving. Deductions reduce taxable income which lowers the amount of tax payable in that financial period. All forms of business finance have tax deductible elements. But the amount of the deduction and the timing in when that benefit may be realised, varies with different finance products. Deductions are subject to rulings as made by the ATO. In addition to the standard tax rulings, the Federal Government can introduce special measures, often with a timeframe, to support and assist business. Such was the situation in April 2020 when the Federal Government introduced Instant Asset Write-off as a tax measure for eligible businesses and assets as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package. This measure was amended several times later in 2020 to temporary... Read More Caret Right

New Financial Year Commercial Finance Considerations

The start of the new financial year is a far more significant ‘new year’ for the business community than the start of the calendar year. 1 July means a lot more to business operators than 1 January, when many could possibly be relaxing on holidays. 1 July is a time to get seriously involved in many aspects of the business. 2021 has additional significance, due to ongoing risks and threats to operations presented by the coronavirus pandemic. While Australia has done extremely well in economic terms re the pandemic, ongoing outbreaks and snaps lockdowns are constant reminders of the lurking risks. Astute business owners will be taking time out mid-year to assess their finance requirements moving forward. Growing a business can involve investing and that involves sourcing cost-effective commercial finance. But not all business investments involve the purchase of equipment, plant or physical assets. There are non-tangible purchases to be made in order to affect business expansion. We explain the... Read More Caret Right

RBA June 2021: Interest Rate Updates For Your Business Loan

The Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hold a scheduled meeting on the first Tuesday of each month except January with a decision on the interest rate the key topic of the meeting. The RBA is tasked with setting the official cash rate and Australia’s monetary policy. The cash rate is not the interest rate that applies to business finance products. It is a rate that banks and lenders pay in interest rate for overnight borrowings. Essentially the rate determines at what level lenders set their both their borrowing and their savings interest rates. Following the RBA Board meetings, the RBA Governor, Philip Lowe, issues a statement which details the rationale for the board’s decision. This statement provides insight both into the current decision and the central bank’s forecasts for the economy and interest rates moving forward. On Tuesday 1 June, the RBA held its meeting, the first following the Federal Budget delivery and a day prior to... Read More Caret Right

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Trusted by 60+ lenders Australia-wide

Westpac
Liberty
Automotive Financial Services
Macquarie
Finance One
Commonwealth Bank
Pepper Money
Morris
National Australia Bank
RACV
Get Capital
Prospa
Grow
Selfco Leasing
Scottish Pacific

FAQs
Business Finance FAQs

Yes, subject to the specific guidelines of individual brokers. Many brokers will offer services to all types and sizes of commercial set-ups while some may specialise in working for only some types of operations. Some brokers may also specialise in certain industry sectors or with specific financial products.

Commercial loans all offer tax deductible elements. These vary with the different products including Chattel Mortgage, Leasing, Rent to Own and Commercial Hire Purchase. Interest payments are all tax deductible. With Leasing and Rent to Own the repayments are tax deductible. With Chattel Mortgage a tax benefit is realised through depreciation.

The interest rates vary with the different funding products. Rates will change across the market with changes in the cash rate by the Reserve Bank. Rates will differ depending on the individual application and credit rating. Rates can vary for equipment in different industries. Credit providers will advertise their best rate for good credit rating applicants.

Yes. Having a current ABN is an essential requirement to be eligible for commercial funding products. Additional documentation on the financials of the operation and other details will be requested as part of the application process. If not all documents are available, ABN holders may seek No Doc or Low Doc options.

The same products apply across all industries and types of operations. But the funding offers can vary across different industry sectors for some credit products. This may occur with equipment and machinery in particular. Interest rates on equipment funding may be different from one industry to another. This may be due to risk assessment of the sector or the individual guidelines of a particular lender. Vehicle funding interest rates would be less subject to industry variations.

The type of credit product best suited to a commercial enterprise will depend on:- accounting method used; balance sheet approach; approach to tax; and financial objectives. The most popular options are Vehicle Leasing and Chattel Mortgage. Operators are advised to discuss choice of product for suitability with their accountant.

Cash flow support may be sought through an Overdraft Facility or a Secured or Unsecured Funding Option. All may be sought to support an operation with ongoing expenses to support cash flow.

New start-ups with an ABN are eligible to apply for all types of commercial loans. As most will not have all the documents for the application, they may seek No Doc and Low Doc options through specialist providers and brokers. Funding can be sought for vehicles, trucks, equipment and other purposes.

To be eligible for commercial loan, applicants must hold an ABN and identification are essential requirements. GST registration is not essential. A selection of documentation, docs, is requested. This may include tax returns, BAS returns, trading figures, bank statements, balance sheets and annual accounts.

Refinancing may be considered for many types of commercial funding arrangements. These may include asset acquisition funding, overdrafts as well as general secured and unsecured arrangements. Refinancing may be sought for a range of purposes including to achieve a lower interest rate, restructure repayment schedule or as part of a business-wide review of financials.

In general terms, any equipment which is for use in a commercial operation may be eligible for commercial funding. The ATO sets out eligibility for tax deductible asset acquisitions. The type of equipment will vary depending on the industry. It can include heavy machinery and equipment right through to general equipment such as computers, IT and photocopiers. Lenders may have their own guidelines as to what equipment they will fund.

Commercial financing is available through major and second tier banks and a wide range of non-bank lenders. Brokers offer services to assist operators to source funding to suit their requirements.

Rates are offered following an assessment of the application. The rate will be based on the credit rating of the applicant, the amount being applied for, aspects of the goods or purpose of the funding and other aspects. Rates offered vary across the lending market and are subject to the individual guidelines of the credit provider. Changes to monetary policy by the Reserve Bank can impact the interest rates market.

Features and structure of commercial loans should be assessed in relation to the accounting methods and objectives of the company. Consulting with an accountant can assist with this process. The best option is the one that suits the individual objectives and goals.

No. ABN holders and sole traders that are not incorporated are still eligible for commercial loans. Some lenders will have guidelines around application approvals. Small enterprises may seek a credit provider that accepts applications from their type of operation or seek assistance from a broker.