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Specialised lending options
Apt Wealth Finance, powered by Acceptance Finance
Flexible finance when the banks say no
Not everyone fits the strict criteria of the mainstream banks, and that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Specialist and non-bank lenders offer more flexible solutions, often with a quicker approval process. We help you find the right one and understand the trade-offs.
When mainstream lending doesn’t fit
Specialist lenders serve borrowers who can’t meet the stringent criteria set by the major banks, whether because of credit history, employment status or other factors. They’re regulated differently, which lets them offer a wider range of products and more flexible terms.
Non-bank lenders can offer an alternative when a traditional bank’s lending criteria don’t fit your circumstances. They often have more flexible approaches to things like income, credit history, property type or loan structure. That flexibility can open up options that may not be available through the major banks, although rates, fees and terms can differ, so it’s important to understand the full picture before making a decision.
How we find the right specialist lender
From first conversation to long after settlement, here is how your broker works with you.
1
Start with a conversation
We talk through where you are now, where you want to be and what you’re looking to achieve. From there, we can explore the options that make sense for you.
2
Understand your options
Your broker reviews your position against a large panel of lenders, each with their own policies and rates, and narrows the field to the options that suit you.
3
Recommend and apply
You get a clear recommendation, set out with the lender, rate and any fees, so the choice is yours. Once you decide, we handle the paperwork and manage the application through to approval.
4
Stay alongside you
Settlement is not the end of it. Your broker stays available for questions and reviews your finance as your circumstances change, so it keeps working in your favour over time.
What specialised lending covers
A few of the situations where specialist finance helps:
Non-bank lenders
Lenders offering banking-style services without a banking licence, regulated differently so they can offer wider products and more flexible terms.
Credit history hurdles
Options for borrowers whose credit history rules them out of mainstream loans, with a path to work towards better terms over time.
Non-standard income
Solutions for self-employed and other borrowers whose employment or income doesn’t fit the banks’ standard boxes.
Industry professionals
Specialised lending arrangements available to eligible industry professionals. Ask us what you may qualify for.
Women, retirement and long-term security
A practical guide to building the retirement you want, written for the way women actually move through their working lives and beyond.
- How to understand and strengthen your super position at any age
- Catch-up strategies after career breaks or part-time work
- Smart, tax-effective ways to draw income in retirement
- Planning for aged care, including keeping the family home
- The most common retirement mistakes, and how to avoid them
Apt Wealth Partners · Whitepaper
Women, retirement and long-term security
Meet the brokers behind your loan
Our finance specialists bring a large panel of lenders, deep knowledge of lender policy and a best interests duty to every conversation. Whatever you’re financing, you’ll find someone ready to listen first and help you plan with confidence
Aimee Telford
Aimee Telford
Personal Mortgage Adviser
Aimee Telford is a Personal Mortgage Adviser at Apt Wealth Partners, with a diverse background in the building and novated lease industry.
Melbourne
Albert Kavcic
Albert Kavcic
Finance Broker
Albert Kavcic is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, working with families across Keilor and the surrounding Melbourne suburbs to secure home loans and grow investment portfolios.
Keilor/Keilor East, Melbourne
John Empey
John Empey
Finance Broker
John Empey is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, working from his own office in Warrawee to help clients across Sydney's Upper North Shore with home loans, investment loans and refinancing.
Warrawee, Sydney
Matt Mannaert
Matt Mannaert
Finance Broker
Matt Mannaert is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance and one of the country's top-performing mortgage brokers, known for his work with property investors.
Balwyn, Melbourne
Matthew Baker
Matthew Baker
Senior Mortgage Adviser
Matt has over 11 years of experience in banking and finance including both personal and business banking.
Geelong
Matthew Papuga
Matthew Papuga
Finance Broker
Matthew Papuga is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, splitting his time between the Balwyn office and Hoppers Crossing to stay available to clients across both areas.
Balwyn and Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne
Minji Kim
Minji Kim
Finance Broker
Minji Kim is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, an award-winning broker known across Balwyn and Ringwood, and a trusted contact for Melbourne's Korean community.
Balwyn and Ringwood, Melbourne
Richie Kasai
Richie Kasai
Finance Broker
Richie Kasai is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, based out of the Balwyn office and known across Kew and Doncaster.
Balwyn, Melbourne
Russel Shaw
Russel Shaw
Finance Broker – Northern Rivers
Russel Shaw is a Director of Acceptance Finance and its Senior Finance Broker for the Ocean Shores office, working across the Northern Rivers region and South East Queensland, with the backing of the Melbourne head office.
Ocean Shores, Northern Rivers NSW
Sally Whitworth
Sally Whitworth
Finance Broker
Sally Whitworth is a Finance Broker at Acceptance Finance, focused on educating clients so they can make informed decisions about their loan choices.
Balwyn, Melbourne
What our clients often ask us
Who are specialist and non-bank lenders?
They’re lenders who serve borrowers the major banks won’t, often because of credit history, employment or other factors. Non-bank lenders offer banking-style services without a banking licence and are regulated differently, which lets them be more flexible.
What’s the catch with specialist lending?
Flexibility and speed usually come at a cost. Rates are generally higher than the major banks, and terms, conditions and fees may be less favourable. We’ll make sure you understand the trade-offs before you commit.
Can I move to a mainstream lender later?
Often, yes. Specialist finance can be a stepping stone. As your situation improves, we can review whether refinancing to a mainstream lender on better terms becomes possible.
Do you offer specialised lending for industry professionals?
Yes. Certain industry professionals may qualify for specialised lending arrangements. Talk to us and we’ll explain what you may be eligible for.
Reading for your finance journey
Practical guidance on borrowing, structuring finance and the decisions ahead of you.
How to build financial confidence: A guide for women who want to take charge
Michelle Heffernan
Jun 05, 2026
There’s one thing that we consistently see lacking in women’s finances. And that’s confidence. Highly capable, intelligent women who completely underestimate themselves. Confidence and knowledge are not the same thing,...
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Closing the retirement savings gap for women
Tracey Pace
May 09, 2025
In Australia today, women are still retiring with around 30% less superannuation than their male counterparts. And while some positive systemic changes are taking place, such as the government introducing...
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Why it’s critical that women stay on top of their finances.
Emily Lanciana
Jul 09, 2018
Women face unique challenges when it comes to finance; factors such as the gender pay gap and increased likelihood of a career break to care for children or elderly parents...
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Explore more on the Apt Wealth Partners blog.
Explore your options, whatever your situation
Book a no-obligation chat and we’ll find flexible finance that fits, and explain the trade-offs clearly.
Prefer to talk now? Call us on 1800 801 277
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