---
title: Our Lender Panel | Banks & Specialist Lenders | GNT Finance
description: See how GNT Finance matches Melbourne borrowers to the right lender, from the big four banks to non-bank and specialist lenders, and how brokers are paid.
url: https://gntfinance.com.au/lenders/
section: core
updated: 2026-09-01
author: Gorakh Timilsina, GNT Finance
---

# Our Lender Panel: Banks, Non-Banks & Specialist Lenders

**In short:** GNT Finance works with a panel of lenders that includes the big four banks, second-tier and customer-owned banks, non-bank lenders, and specialist lenders for self-employed, visa-holder, SMSF and commercial borrowers. We match you to the lender whose credit policy and pricing suit your situation, not the one that pays the most, and our home-loan service costs you nothing in most cases.

Walk into a bank branch in Craigieburn and you get that bank's products under that bank's rules. If your income, visa or property does not fit, the answer is no, and nobody mentions that a lender two doors down would have said yes. This page explains who is on our panel, what each type of lender does well, and how we choose between them.

## Why lender choice matters more than the headline rate

A rate only matters if you are approved. Each lender runs its own credit policy: how it treats overtime, how much rental income it counts, whether it lends to someone on a 482 visa, how many years of tax returns it wants from a sole trader. Two applicants with identical numbers can be approved by one lender for $780,000 and declined by another. The [mortgage broker versus bank](/guides/mortgage-broker-vs-bank/) question is really about access.

## The types of lenders on our panel

### Big four banks

Broad product ranges, branch and app service, strong packages with offset accounts, and sharp pricing for clean salaried applications with 20% deposits. Often first choice for [construction loans](/services/construction-loans/) and larger [commercial property loans](/services/commercial-property-loans/). Their weakness is rigidity: policy exceptions are hard to get.

### Second-tier banks

Nationally known banks outside the big four often undercut the majors to win share, and are frequently more flexible on casual income, small deposits and newly self-employed applicants.

### Mutuals and customer-owned banks

Credit unions, building societies and mutual banks are owned by their members, so pricing is often sharp and fees low. Excellent for first home buyers, though product ranges are narrower and some do not lend outside their home regions.

### Non-bank lenders

Funded through wholesale markets rather than deposits, and regulated under the same National Consumer Credit Protection framework as banks. The go-to option when mainstream policy does not fit: a recent job change, a higher debt-to-income ratio, or an [investment property](/services/investment-property-loans/) purchase past a major bank's exposure limit. Rates are often close to bank pricing.

### Specialist and non-conforming lenders

For borrowers with a story: a default from a failed business, a credit file bruised by divorce, or income that is real but hard to document. Specialist lenders assess on merit, with alt-doc options for [self-employed borrowers](/services/self-employed-loans/). The rate is higher, but the loan is a stepping stone: we plan to refinance you to a mainstream lender once the file is clean, usually within one to two years.

### SMSF lenders

Buying property inside a self-managed super fund requires a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, and only a subset of lenders offer them. Most major banks have withdrawn, so [SMSF loans](/services/smsf-loans/) are placed with non-bank and specialist lenders who understand bare trusts and superannuation compliance.

### Commercial and asset finance lenders

Commercial property, equipment, trucks and vehicles are financed through bank commercial divisions and dedicated asset-finance companies. Pricing depends on the asset, the lease profile and the business, so this part of the panel is deliberately wide. See [car loans](/services/car-loans/) for vehicle finance.

## How lenders differ on policy

| Policy area | Where lenders diverge |
|---|---|
| Visa holders | Some lend to 482, 491 and partner-visa holders at up to 80% or 90% LVR; others require permanent residency |
| Self-employed | One year of financials versus two; some accept BAS or accountant's letters instead |
| Maximum LVR | 95% including LMI at some lenders, 80% or 90% at others, lower for certain property types |
| Postcode and unit size | Restrictions on high-density CBD apartments, units under 40 or 50 square metres, and some regional or new-estate postcodes |
| Income treatment | Overtime, bonus, commission, rental income and family tax benefit shaded anywhere from 60% to 100% |
| Living expenses | Some use the HEM benchmark; others scrutinise every statement line |
| Credit history | Tolerance for paid defaults, late payments and short credit files varies widely |

We know these differences before lodging, so you are only assessed by a lender likely to say yes.

## How we match you to a lender

1. **Understand your position.** Income type, deposit source, property type, timeline and goals.
2. **Filter by policy.** Lenders whose credit rules do not fit are ruled out, however attractive their rate.
3. **Compare on true cost.** Rate, comparison rate, fees, offset and redraw, and how each lender has historically treated existing customers on price. The [loan comparison calculator](/calculators/loan-comparison/) shows the method.
4. **Weigh service.** Turnaround matters when you are buying at auction or have a short finance clause.
5. **Recommend and explain.** A written recommendation with reasons, not just a product name.

## How we are paid, honestly

Lenders pay brokers an upfront commission at settlement and a small trail over the life of the loan, which is why our home-loan service is at no cost to you in most cases. Commission rates are broadly similar across lenders, and since 2021 we owe you a legal [Best Interests Duty](/legal/best-interests-duty-mortgage-brokers/). Any clawback if you refinance early is our cost, not yours. Full detail is in our [guide to how brokers get paid](/guides/how-mortgage-brokers-get-paid/) and our [credit guide](/credit-guide/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you have access to every lender in Australia?

No broker does. Our panel covers the major banks, second-tier and customer-owned banks, non-bank lenders and specialist lenders across residential, SMSF, commercial and asset finance, which lets us place the vast majority of applications we see, including the tricky ones. If a lender outside our panel is genuinely the best fit, we will tell you.

### Will you recommend the lender that pays you the most?

No. Commissions are broadly consistent across lenders, we are bound by the Best Interests Duty under the NCCP Act, and our recommendation is documented with the reasons. A broker who places clients badly gets clawbacks and lost referrals, so it would be poor business even if it were legal.

### Is a non-bank lender safe?

Yes. Non-bank lenders hold an Australian credit licence, are regulated by ASIC, and carry the same responsible lending obligations as banks. Your contract and rights, including access to AFCA in a dispute, are the same. The practical difference is that non-banks do not offer everyday transaction accounts, so an offset is usually a linked sub-account.

### Can I still use my own bank through GNT Finance?

Usually, yes. If your bank is on our panel we can lodge there, often with sharper pricing than the branch offers because broker channels compete hard for business. You get the same loan and the same bank, with us managing the paperwork and negotiation.

### What if my situation is unusual?

Unusual is our speciality. Visa holders, newly self-employed, contractors, people with a paid default, buyers of small apartments and SMSF trustees all have lenders who will consider them. Gorakh Timilsina spent years as a Senior Credit Officer, so we know which lender's policy fits which situation before we lodge.

## Talk to GNT Finance

Tell us about your income, deposit and the property you have in mind, and we will shortlist the lenders most likely to approve you at the best price. We serve Melbourne and Victoria from Mickleham, in English, Nepali and Hindi, and Australia-wide by phone and video. [Book a free consultation](/contact/) or call 0426 403 703.