Quick answer
When you call a business lender, open with four things in about thirty seconds: what the money is for, roughly how much, when you need it, and whether you own property that could be security. Then mention anything awkward, such as ATO debt or a past default, in one honest sentence. That gives the specialist enough to point you at options that can actually work.
Key points
- Lead with purpose, amount, timing and property. Everything else can come out in the conversation.
- Mention the awkward bit early. It saves you from being steered toward a lender that will decline.
- Ranges are fine. 'Somewhere between $80k and $120k' is a perfectly good answer.
- You don't need documents for the first call, only a rough picture.
Why the first minute of the call matters most
Most business owners who put off ringing a lender aren’t worried about the money conversation. They’re worried about the opening. What do you say after “hello”? How much detail? Will you sound like you don’t know what you’re doing?
Here’s the good news: the specialist on the other end has one job in that first minute, which is to work out which direction to head. Give them four facts and they can do it. Everything else gets drawn out by their questions.
The four things to say in your first thirty seconds
- What the money is for. One sentence, in plain words. “Pay a tax bill.” “Buy stock for Christmas.” “Bridge the gap until a big job pays.” “Buy out my business partner.”
- Roughly how much. A number or a range.
- When you need it. A specific date if there is one (“settlement is on the 20th”), or a rough timeframe.
- Whether you own property. Home, commercial premises or an investment property, and whether there’s a mortgage on it.
Put together, it sounds like this:
“Hi, it’s Sam from a small joinery business in Geelong. I need about $120k to buy a CNC machine, ideally in the next three or four weeks. We’ve been trading about six years. I own my home with a mortgage on it.”
Illustrative example only.
That’s it. Fifteen seconds of talking, and the specialist already knows this is probably an equipment purchase for an established business, with a property-secured option available if needed.
Then say the awkward bit, in one sentence
If there’s something you’d rather not mention, mention it now. ATO debt, a default, a lender that said no last month, a gap in lodgements. One sentence is enough:
“I should say upfront: there’s about $40k owing to the ATO from last year’s BAS, and I’m not on a payment plan yet.”
Illustrative example only.
Why now? Because the awkward bit often decides which lenders are worth approaching. Lenders differ widely in how they look at tax debt and past credit. Some won’t consider it; others assess it case by case. If the specialist knows early, they steer toward the second group. If it comes up at document stage, you may have lost a week.
We’ve written separate scripts for the most common awkward bits: owing the ATO, past credit problems, a lender that already said no and existing debts.
What not to worry about saying
You don’t need to:
- Know the loan type. “Second mortgage”, “caveat loan”, “line of credit” are the specialist’s job. Describe the need; they’ll name the product.
- Have a business plan in hand. Useful later for some loans, not for the first call.
- Quote exact figures. “Turnover’s about $60k to $80k a month” is plenty.
- Sell the business. It isn’t a pitch. The specialist is trying to match, not judge.
Scripts for different situations
Here’s how the opening changes depending on why you’re calling. Adapt the words; keep the four facts.
| You’re calling about | A natural opening line |
|---|---|
| Cash flow | “We’ve got a gap of about $50k before a big invoice pays at the end of next month. Wages are due in the meantime.” |
| Equipment | “I’ve got a quote for a used truck at $95k and need to pay within two weeks.” |
| Growth or a new contract | “We’ve won a contract that needs about $200k of materials and labour before the first progress payment.” |
| Borrowing against property | “I’d like to borrow around $400k against a commercial property I own outright, for the business.” |
| Refinancing | “We’ve got three separate business debts and the repayments are squeezing us. I’d like to look at tidying them up.” |
All examples are illustrative.
How to finish the call well
Before you hang up, make sure you know three things:
- What happens next, and who does it.
- What documents are needed for the option you’re considering, if you’re going ahead.
- How long the next step usually takes.
If you’re not sure, ask. Our page on questions to ask a lender on the phone has the full list.
If you freeze on the call
It happens, especially if the money situation is stressful. It’s fine to say, “Sorry, I’m a bit flustered. Can I just tell you the situation from the start?” Specialists would much rather hear it messy and accurate than tidy and incomplete. Or build a card first with the call planner, which writes your opening line for you based on a few quick choices, and read straight from it.
A worked example, start to finish
Here’s how a whole first call might go, illustrated with a made-up business:
Caller: “Hi, I run a small landscaping business in Brisbane. We’ve been going about four years. I need around $70k to buy a bobcat and a trailer, ideally in the next fortnight, because we’ve got a big job starting. I don’t own property. I should mention I had a late payment on a fuel card last year, but it’s up to date now.”
Illustrative example only.
From there, the specialist would likely ask about monthly deposits, other finance already in place, and the quote for the equipment. Within a few minutes, the caller would know whether an unsecured option looks realistic, what documents would be needed, and how long it could take. If they’d rather not do the whole thing by phone, the specialist might suggest they complete the short online enquiry so the details are on file.
Notice what the caller didn’t do: explain their whole business history, apologise for the late payment, or guess at a loan type. The four facts plus the honest sentence did the work. You’ll find more tailored scripts in our how much and why and tight deadline pages.
Ready to make the call?
You now have everything you need for the first minute. Ring 03 4059 1829 during Melbourne business hours, or if talking isn’t practical right now, start the 60-second enquiry and a specialist will ring you. Either way, enquiring won’t trigger a credit check, your details stay with one team, and a person who does this every day listens to the whole story. Please give accurate figures, even rough ones. That’s what lets us match you properly the first time.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say first when I call a business lender?
Say what the money is for, roughly how much you need, when you need it, and whether you own property. For example: 'I need about $150k to buy a second excavator, ideally within a month, and I own my home.'
Should I mention my bad credit or tax debt on the first call?
Yes, briefly. A one-sentence mention early in the call lets the specialist look at lenders who consider those situations case by case. Leaving it until later usually just means repeating the conversation.
What if I don't know exactly how much I need?
Give a range and explain what drives it. The specialist can help you work out the number, including whether to allow for costs, a buffer or a deposit.
Do I need my accountant on the call?
Not for a first conversation. If your finances are complex, such as several entities or a trust, it can help to have your accountant's details handy for a later call.
Is there anything I shouldn't say?
Don't guess at figures you don't know and present them as fact. 'Roughly' and 'I'll need to check' are fine. Inaccurate numbers cause more delays than honest uncertainty.