Specialist and Non Bank Lenders in NZ: Helping You Find an Alternative Path to Approval

A non bank lender is a licensed finance company.

• They are not a registered bank, so they can be more flexible.
• They focus on home loans and lending solutions rather than everyday banking

Banks are highly regulated, deposit taking institutions with strict lending rules. Non banks are licensed finance companies that still follow New Zealand’s responsible lending laws, but they can assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

For a deeper comparison, see our Non Bank vs Bank Home Loans in NZ comparison.

More flexible criteria. Non bank lenders each set their own rules. Instead of rigid, blanket policies, they look at the full picture of your situation.

Key differences include:

• Deposit & LVR – Often more flexible than main banks, but higher LVR can mean a higher rate.
• Variable income – Self-employed, contracting, or seasonal workers can be assessed on real world earnings, not just pay slips.
• Credit History – Past issues don’t always rule you out.
• Timeframes – Approvals are often faster than banks.
• Personalised Lending – Every borrower’s story is different. Non banks specialise in niche lending.

Non bank lending is not just for borrowers declined by banks – it’s a popular solution for a wide range of situations. You might consider a non bank lender if you:

• Need income flexibility: self-employed, contracting, doing seasonal work, or running your own business without two full years of financials.
• Have credit challenges: including payment defaults, arrears or discharged bankruptcy.
• Have a gifting deposit or high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: when bank limits make approval impossible.
• Have recently started a job or use alternative income proof: not all lenders require a long work history.
• Are buying a unique property: a property banks consider “too risky”,

So, even if a bank says no, your home ownership journey doesn’t have to stop, so don’t panic. That’s exactly the scenario why our Bank Said No page was created – to explain why banks sometimes decline applications how non bank lending can help you move forward.

For self-employed borrowers, non bank lenders can assess income more flexibly. They consider less than 2 years financials, forecasts or alternative documents. See our guides for further detail:

• How to get a mortgage if self-employed for less than 2 years and
• Can I get a mortgage without business financials

Non bank lending is not only for people declined by banks – they’re often a smart choice for flexibility and speed. Clients choose non banks because:

• Loan approvals are often faster with fewer hurdles.
• Accept non standard income (contracting, seasonal, self-employed).
• Provide options for borrowers with strong income but limited deposit history.
• Offer niche solutions such as debt consolidation or bridging loans.

We work with a wide range of non bank and specialist lenders to arrange:

• Near-prime and specialist home loans
• Second mortgages / bridging loans to buy before you sell
• Debt consolidation using home equity
• Refinance out of hardship or arrears when possible

We make the process as easy as possible, step by step so you always know what’s next:

1. Initial chat. No obligation conversation to understand your situation, goals and challenges
2. Quick assessment. We review your income, deposit, credit history, and property plans to see what’s possible, without risking your credit file
3. Tailored lender match. We approach numerous financial institutions on your behalf, comparing costs, terms and approval likelihood to find the best fit for your needs
4. Lender recommendation. We’ll provide a recommendation based on the most suited lender – and we’ll explain the pros and cons of non bank lenders so you can decide with confidence
5. Application lodged. Once you are happy to proceed with the recommended lender, we prepare and submit your application, keeping you updated at every stage of the process
6. Settlement and future planning. We guide you through settlement and work with you on a strategy to refinance back to a main bank if and when it becomes the best option

Not sure if an alternative lender is right for you? Contact our non bank lending specialists today – we’ll map out your options, compare lenders and build your refinance plan back to a bank.

Start your 10-minute online application
Prefer to chat? Call 0800 536 346

SITEMAP • DISCLAIMER • DISCLOSURE • PRIVACY