Banks Said No: How a Café Owner Secured a $175,000 Unsecured Business Loan

finwaveau
Dec 22, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Mar 10

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/8d0d36_d879f614f7b04a2a89a4c0d0174c50a4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Summary:

After being declined by traditional banks, an Australian café owner secured a $175,000 unsecured business loan using bank statements only, with the right finance broker support.

The Challenge

The café owner had:

Multiple bank declines
No property to offer as security
A need for fast access to working capital

Despite steady turnover, traditional lenders were unable to assist.

Our Approach as a Finance Broker in Australia

As a finance broker in Australia, we assessed the café’s trading performance using recent bank statements rather than relying on traditional financials or property security.

We then matched the application with lenders that assess:

Consistent income and turnover
Business stability
Bank statement performance

Approval was subject to lender assessment and criteria.

The Outcome

The café owner was approved for a $175,000 unsecured business loan, providing funds to support operations and cash flow without offering property or other assets as security.

Key Takeaway

A bank decline does not always mean the end of the road. Some lenders assess applications using bank statements only, and an experienced business loan broker in Australia can help identify these options.

FAQ: Bank Statement Business Loans in Australia

Can a business get a loan if the bank says no?

Yes. A bank decline does not always mean finance is unavailable. Some non-bank lenders assess applications using alternative criteria, such as bank statements, rather than traditional property-backed security.

What is a bank statement business loan?

A bank statement business loan is a finance option where lenders assess recent bank statements to evaluate income and cash flow, rather than relying solely on traditional financials or tax returns.

Can a business get an unsecured loan using bank statements only?

In some cases, yes. Certain Australian lenders offer unsecured business loans based primarily on consistent turnover and bank statement performance. Eligibility depends on your trading consistency and lender criteria.

Do I need property or assets as security for these loans?

Not always. Some bank statement loans are "unsecured," meaning no property or physical assets are required as collateral. This is ideal for hospitality and service-based businesses that may not own real estate.

Are bank statement loans more expensive than traditional bank loans?

They can be. Interest rates and fees may be higher due to the increased risk for the lender. A broker will help you compare the total cost to ensure the finance is a sustainable move for your business.