An independent debt-advisory brokerage based in Melbourne, working Australia-wide across business, commercial and home lending, with 20+ lenders behind you.
We're here to educate, not confuse. We help you understand your lending options, answer your questions openly, and guide you through the process without pressure. When you understand the why, better decisions follow.
The right outcome comes from context, not just calculations. We present your numbers within a well-structured story that explains where you're heading and why the right lending solution matters.
You are never navigating your journey alone. We tap into a trusted network of professionals and clients, connecting you with the right people at the right time.
Helping you buy your first business or add to your portfolio.
Read moreWorking capital, asset finance, equipment, and term debt.
Read morePurchase, refinance, and development across all asset classes.
Read moreFirst home, refinance, and investment property finance.
Read moreWe have seen lending from every side of the table: inside Australia's largest banks, running financial products at one of the world's biggest tech companies, and now as brokers working for you.
We are especially engaged with Australia's growing Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and search fund community, connecting acquirers with the right financing and helping first-time buyers navigate the deal.
Over a decade as a commercial banker at NAB and Judo, with deep banking experience and genuine care for every deal, focused on long-term relationships over single transactions.
Ran Uber's US & Canada Financial Services business, managing $1B+ in revenue across lending, cards and instant payments. Now helping Australians finance acquisitions, commercial property, and homes.
First call for acquisition finance.
Jonathan helped us structure and finance a business acquisition. His banking background meant he understood lender assessment from the inside. Organised, communicative, and stayed close throughout.
Saved us around $2,000 a month.
Jon showed us what industry-leading service looks like. He mapped out every option, handled roadblocks from the bank, and delivered a refinance that transformed our cashflow.
Thorough, transparent, well looked after.
A completely different experience from other brokers we engaged with. Jonathan was thorough and transparent throughout our first property purchase.
Genuine partner, competitive terms.
Jonathan was a genuine partner throughout the process. Responsive, thoughtful, and consistently valuable at every stage. His financial insight sharpened my due diligence and played a real role in securing funding on competitive terms.
Complex deals, competitive outcomes.
Jonathan secured a market-leading loan for a mixed-use site with retail, energy, and healthcare components. His ability to understand complex deals and deliver results is impressive.
Got results where others fell short.
Jonathan helped secure finance for a third business purchase when our existing lender could not. He also refinanced our business and home loans at much better rates.
Field notes
Demographer Bernard Salt on the care economy, regional growth, the aged-care wave and the great wealth transfer.
Banks underwrite off historical profit, so last year's loss usually draws a no. What changes the answer is a forward story a credit team can test.
What a personal guarantee actually is, the three types, what's at risk, and what can be negotiated before you sign.
Rate movements, deal structures, what we're seeing in the market. Once a month, business and residential insights, straight to your inbox.
Private credit and challengers now sit alongside the majors, prime commercial assets are holding up, and the question every business buyer asks, answered plainly.
Around 42% of auctions cleared in late June, values eased in Sydney and Melbourne, yet this is a slowdown in turnover rather than a distressed market.
We'll take time to understand your situation-whether you're looking to acquire a business, secure commercial property finance, refinance your home, or explore other financing options.
From there, we'll walk you through what's possible. You'll get straight answers about your options, what lenders are looking for, and realistic timelines.
There's no pressure to proceed. The goal is simple: you finish the call knowing exactly how to move forward, whether that's with us or on your own.
You'll receive email confirmation of your meeting. Check your junk folder if you don't see it.
Yes. Australian lenders offer business acquisition finance to help you purchase an existing business. The loan is typically secured against the business assets, commercial property, or your residential property. Lenders assess the business's trading history, profitability, and your experience in the industry. At FGO Finance Group, we specialise in structuring acquisition finance across our panel of over 20 lenders to find the right fit for your deal.
The deposit required varies depending on the type of business, its financial history, and the security you can offer. As a general guide, lenders typically look for somewhere between 20% and 50% of the purchase price, though this is indicative only and the actual requirement can be lower depending on your specific situation. Businesses with strong cash flows, proven track records, and tangible assets can often secure finance with less upfront than you might expect. We work with you to structure your finance in a way that minimises the cash required while keeping repayments manageable.
Major banks like ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, and Westpac all offer business lending, but they each have different appetite for acquisition finance. Beyond the big four, specialist lenders such as Judo Bank, BOQ, and various non-bank lenders can offer more flexible terms for business purchases. As a broker, we have access to a panel of over 20 lenders, which means we can match your deal with the lender most likely to approve it on the most suitable terms.
Approval timelines vary depending on the lender and complexity of the deal. A straightforward business loan with a major bank typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from application to approval. More complex transactions involving multiple securities or specialised lenders may take 4 to 8 weeks. We manage the entire process for you, preparing a complete application upfront to avoid unnecessary delays and keeping you updated at every stage.
A bank can only offer you their own products. A broker gives you access to dozens of lenders and can compare rates, terms, and lending criteria across the market to find the right loan to suit your needs. This is especially important for business finance, where each lender has different appetite for different industries, deal sizes, and security types. We do the heavy lifting of packaging your application, negotiating terms, and managing the process from start to finish.
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, or ETA, is a pathway to business ownership where you acquire an existing business rather than starting one from scratch. It's a growing movement in Australia, particularly among professionals looking to leverage their skills by running an established operation with existing cash flow, customers, and systems. FGO Finance Group works closely with the Australian ETA community to help acquirers structure and secure the finance they need to complete their transactions.
Yes. We help clients purchase, refinance, and develop commercial property across Australia. Whether you're buying an office, retail space, warehouse, or mixed-use property, we source finance from our panel of lenders to secure competitive rates and terms. We also assist with property development finance and SMSF commercial property purchases.
Yes, we help with home loans. We assist clients across residential lending, whether you're a first home buyer, refinancing, or buying an investment property. We compare options across our lender panel and manage the process end to end, from pre-approval to settlement.
We're based in Melbourne, but we work with clients right across Australia. Because the finance application process is fully digital - from document collection to lender submission and approval - location isn't a barrier. We've structured our business so that whether you're in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, or regional Australia, you get the same hands-on service. If you're looking to acquire a business, purchase commercial property, or secure any type of finance, we can help regardless of where you're located.
Answer five quick questions and we'll come back to you, matched to the right advisor, armed with the right context.
