Our Lending Process — Strategy First, Settlement Managed, Reviewed for Life
Every engagement at IFG follows the same discipline our directors learned across 45+ combined years in banking. It's designed for one outcome: lending that's approved smoothly, structured for your next move, and actively managed for as long as you hold it.
1. The strategy session
A direct conversation with Brian or Frank — office, phone or video. We map the full picture: income and entities, existing facilities, the goal behind the transaction and the two or three moves after it. You leave with an honest read of what's achievable, at roughly what cost, and whether we're the right firm for it. No file is opened and no credit check occurs at this stage.
2. Structure and lender strategy
Before any application: which entity borrows, what security is offered (and deliberately withheld), how the facility should be shaped — then a shortlist of lenders whose current, actual policy appetite fits your scenario. Complex files get a shadow assessment against lender policy first, so we only apply where we're confident. Your credit file is treated as the asset it is.
3. One targeted application
Professionally packaged — income presented the way credit teams read it, questions answered before they're asked — and lodged with the chosen lender. We manage valuations (and valuer strategy where it matters), respond to credit queries the day they arrive, and keep you informed at every stage. Typical timelines: days to two weeks for pre-approval; two to six weeks to unconditional on standard transactions; longer for commercial and development, where we front-load the work.
4. Approval to settlement
We coordinate lender, conveyancer and any purchase-support partners to one timeline — documents, conditions, shortfalls and dates chased by us, not by you. Settlement day at IFG is meant to be an anticlimax: keys, congratulations, done.
5. The standing review
This is where we differ most. Every facility we write is diarised: rate expiries flagged before they bite, annual reviews attended with alternatives, structures rechecked when your life or business changes. Lenders reprice loyalty; we reprice lenders. The transaction was the beginning of the relationship — the review cadence is the relationship.
Process Questions
- How long before I can bid at auction?
- A reliable pre-approval typically takes a few days to two weeks depending on lender and documentation. We prepare files completely before lodgement — the single biggest factor in speed — and structure approvals so you can bid with genuine confidence.
- What does the process cost me?
- In almost all cases nothing — lenders pay us on settlement, disclosed in writing before anything is lodged. Some complex commercial or development engagements carry an agreed fee, always transparent and upfront.
- What do you need from me to start?
- Just the conversation. After the strategy session we issue a tailored checklist — only the documents the chosen lender path actually requires, with your accountant looped in directly where entities are involved.
Step one is a conversation
Book Your Strategy Session or call 0401 333 636
General information only. Brian Hermosilla CR 485802 · Frank Marin CR 486546 · BLSSA Pty Ltd ACL 391237.