Your friend in business lending · Aotearoa

Borrowing for your business? Talk to a friend who knows lending first.

We tell you what a good friend in finance would tell you before you borrow — in plain English — then match you with the right option from our lending panel. You stay in charge the whole way.

You

We've won a big job but need to buy materials before the client pays. Is that mad?

LendFriend

Not mad — just a timing gap. Let's look at what the contract pays, when, and what you've got to work with. Then we'll match you with a lender that fits.

Start my 60-second enquiry How we match you

Free to ask
No credit score impact
A real person calls you back

Two young cafe owners standing together inside their coffee shop, smiling — Real talk. No numbers games.

I need to…

Start with what's actually going on. Each page explains your options, what a lender will ask, and the honest bit nobody else mentions.

Keep things ticking over

Make a move

Sort out the how

Or compare the lenders themselves: bank vs non-bank vs private lender — the honest version.

Before you borrow

What a good friend in finance would tell you

No sales pitch — just the things we'd say to our own mates before they signed anything. Written on the back of a napkin, more or less.

Read the full guides

Borrow for the gap, not the mood. Work out the real shortfall and add a sensible buffer. Stressful weeks make big numbers feel safer — but every extra dollar has to be repaid.
Know your exit before you sign. Cash flow, an asset sale or refinancing later. Write it down, then write what you'd do if it took twice as long.
Tax money isn't your money. Move GST and PAYE into a separate account the day you're paid. It's the single habit that keeps most businesses out of trouble.
Read the default clause. It's the part you hope you'll never need. That's exactly why it's worth ten quiet minutes now.
One good application beats five hopeful ones. Every application can leave a mark on your credit file. Get matched first, then apply once.
Sometimes the answer is 'don't borrow'. If the business is losing money every month, fix the leak first. We'll tell you if we think that's you.

How we match you

Four steps. You're in charge of the last one.

1
Tell us what you need
About 60 seconds online. What it's for, roughly how much, and whether property's part of the picture.
2
We look at your situation
A lending specialist calls you back for a proper chat — trading, credit, tax, timing, and how you'll repay.
3
We match you
We pick the lender on our panel that suits your situation, and tell you why. Sometimes that means "you don't need a loan".
4
You decide
We explain the offer in plain English — total cost, repayments, the fine print. No pressure. Your call.

See how matching works

The two big questions

Got property? Or not? Either way, there's usually a path.

If you or family own property

$20,000 up to $1m

Secured on NZ property — home, rental, commercial or land
First or second mortgage, even with an existing mortgage
No financials or tax returns for the initial assessment
Bad credit, defaults and arrears considered case by case
IRD debt can be refinanced or paid out
Funding within 24 hours of approval in some cases

Borrowing against property

If there's no property involved

Based on your turnover

Unsecured business loans and lines of credit
Usually for businesses trading 6+ months
Assessed on turnover and bank statements
Weaker credit considered
Decisions sometimes the same day

Borrowing without property

Business purposes only. Sole traders, companies, partnerships and trusts can all apply. Every loan is priced on your individual circumstances — we find the sharpest option available for yours.

From Kaitāia to Invercargill

A friend in lending, wherever you do business

We talk to cafe owners in Ponsonby, builders in Hamilton, importers in Tauranga, retailers in Christchurch, tradies in Napier–Hastings and Palmerston North, and tourism operators in Queenstown. The conversation is the same everywhere: what do you need, what have you got to work with, and what's the honest best option?

It all happens by phone and online, so it doesn't matter whether you're on Lambton Quay or a lifestyle block outside Nelson.

The Auckland skyline and Sky Tower seen across the harbour on a clear day — Auckland

The red Wellington cable car on its track in the evening — Wellington

People sharing a meal at an outdoor cafe table in Christchurch — Christchurch

Aerial view of Mount Maunganui with its buildings, coastline and the ocean in Tauranga — Tauranga

Friend-to-friend guides

Things worth reading before you search for a loan

Eighteen plain-English guides on the stuff that actually trips people up — guarantees, credit files, IRD, the fine print.

Browse all guides

Quick questions

What is LendFriend?

LendFriend is a New Zealand business lending matchmaker. We explain your borrowing options in plain English, look at your situation, and match you with a suitable lender from our lending panel. Then you decide.

How much can I borrow?

Property-secured business loans range from $20,000 up to $1m, secured on New Zealand property you or a supporting party own. Unsecured loans and lines of credit are based on your turnover and bank statements.

Will enquiring affect my credit score?

No. Our enquiry takes about 60 seconds, is free, and doesn't affect your credit score. A lender only runs a credit check later, with your permission, if you choose to apply.

Can I get funding with bad credit or IRD debt?

Often, yes. For property-secured loans, bad credit, defaults and arrears are considered case by case, and IRD debt can be refinanced or paid out. Weaker credit is also considered for unsecured lending.

What are your interest rates?

Every loan is priced on your individual circumstances, so we don't publish rates. We find the sharpest option available for your situation and explain the total cost in plain English before you commit.

All the questions people ask