What 40+ Lenders Taught Us About Getting Approved Fast
When you’ve worked with over 40 lenders across Australia, from major banks to boutique equipment finance specialists, you start to see patterns. Some applications fly through with same-day approvals. Others drag for weeks, even with strong financials.
At Thrift Capital, we’ve made it our mission to understand how each lender works, what they prioritise, and how to position our clients for the fastest possible approvals. If you're in the market for business equipment financing, vehicle loans, or working capital, here’s what we’ve learned about getting to “yes” faster, smarter, and with fewer headaches.
Lenders Love Clarity
The single biggest differentiator between a fast approval and a long wait is clarity.
Lenders don’t have time to chase missing documents or guess at the purpose of your loan. They respond best to well-organised submissions that clearly explain:
Who you are
What your business does
How much you need
Why you need it
How you’ll repay it
Clarity builds trust. It shows you understand your business and are serious about your loan request.
Tip: Before submitting, have an equipment finance broker review your application. At Thrift Capital, we do this with every client, often cutting days off the turnaround time.
Fast Approval Starts With the Right Lender
Each lender has its own appetite.
Some specialise in low-doc equipment finance for business owners with ABNs. Others want full tax returns, BAS statements, and multiple years of trading. Some welcome startups and sole traders, while others prefer businesses with property backing.
If your application goes to the wrong lender, you’re not just wasting time—you could also be damaging your future lending prospects.
At Thrift Capital, we match your profile and asset type with lenders who:
Specialise in your industry (transport, construction, trade, hospitality)
Are actively approving applications in the current market
Offer the most flexibility on documentation requirements
It’s not about the cheapest rate on paper. It’s about choosing the lender most likely to approve you fast.
Documentation: Less Can Be More
While full-doc lending is still the gold standard, many lenders now offer low-doc and alternative equipment financing solutions, especially for vehicles, machinery, and business equipment.
If you have:
A valid ABN
Clean business bank statements (3–6 months)
Good personal ID
…you can often be approved without full financials.
This is ideal for:
Owner-operators without updated tax filings
Fast-moving purchases like trucks or excavators
New businesses with short trading histories but strong turnover
Bank Statements Reveal More Than You Think
Lenders don’t just look at income—they look at how you manage it. Your statements tell a story:
Is your revenue consistent?
Do you maintain healthy balances after expenses?
Are there frequent dishonours or overdrafts?
Do you transfer funds responsibly?
Clean statements can sometimes outweigh weak financials, and they often support higher borrowing limits without extra collateral.
Speed Comes From Decision Makers, Not Just Documents
Many banks operate under rigid processes. Even with the right paperwork, your application may sit untouched for days.
Working with a broker gives you access to underwriters and credit teams who prioritise broker-submitted files. At Thrift Capital, we don’t just submit and wait—we follow up, escalate when needed, and secure real-time feedback.
That’s why many of our clients secure equipment finance for business in under 48 hours.
Final Word: Fast Doesn’t Mean Rushed
Speed matters, but not at the cost of smart financing.
Getting approved fast means:
Choosing the right lender
Packaging the deal correctly
Submitting clean documents
Working with an equipment finance broker who understands the system
That’s what 40+ lenders have taught us.
When you’re ready for smarter, faster equipment financing, we’re here to help. Use our equipment finance calculator to explore repayment options, then talk to a Thrift Capital broker about the best strategy for your business.