Why more property investors are turning to non-bank lending and how Colab makes it work for You

At Colab, we’re seeing a shift. More of our clients, from seasoned investors to first-time developers, are moving away from traditional banks and embracing the flexibility of non-bank finance. And for good reason.

Whether you’re flipping a property, bridging finance between purchases, funding a new build, or unlocking equity for a commercial opportunity, banks aren’t always the best fit. That’s where we come in.

Smart finance for real-world scenarios

Colab works with a curated panel of non-bank lenders across New Zealand who specialise in short-term, asset-backed lending. These lenders aren’t restricted by rigid banking rules, which means faster approvals, more pragmatic credit decisions, and bespoke structures designed around your goals.

Some common scenarios where non-bank lending makes sense:

• Bridging finance between buying and selling

• Property flips where speed and access to funds is critical

• Development or construction funding when progress payments are needed

• Equity release or capital raising for commercial investments or business expansion

The benefits of a non-bank approach

No debt servicing requirements: In many cases, borrowers aren’t required to prove income or serviceability. Lending decisions are based on the strength of the asset and the exit strategy. 

Capitalised interest and fees: Repayments aren’t required during the loan term. Interest and fees can be added to the loan balance and repaid at the end, improving cash flow.

Speed and certainty: Non-bank lenders can often issue approvals within 24–48 hours, with settlement shortly after.

Where Colab fits in

We’re not tied to one lender. We work for you.

Colab’s job is to understand your project and match you with the right lending partner. We’ve done the legwork, building relationships with a wide range of lenders who each have their own niche. Whether it’s a boutique funder who’s fast on bridging deals or a specialist in construction finance, we know who to call and how to structure the deal.

We also handle the detail, from packaging the application to negotiating terms, so you can focus on the project, not the paperwork.

Get in touch

If you’re after some advice or have a project that needs funding, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at info@colab.co.nz or fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch.