Nicole Guise - Business Finance & Credit Insights

Nicole Guise - Business Finance & Credit Insights Ex-Westpac SME Credit Specialist (27 yrs)
Helping businesses secure the right finance
Insight from inside the bank

27/05/2026

The 3 things lenders notice in the first 5 minutes.

After 15 years in SME credit, one thing became very clear — lenders often form an early view of an application very quickly.

Not because they’re looking for reasons to decline it, but because certain patterns can indicate strength, risk or pressure within a business.

Three things usually stand out early:

1️⃣ Cash flow conduct
Are accounts being managed well?
Missed repayments, over-limit positions and constant pressure on working capital are often early warning signs.

2️⃣ Clarity of purpose
Can the business clearly explain why the funding is needed and how it supports the business moving forward?

Growth and expansion funding are viewed very differently to finance needed simply to “catch up.”

3️⃣ The story behind the numbers (Yes, it matters!)
This part matters more than many people realise.

Providing financials without explaining the “how” and “why” gives very little context.

Lenders want to understand:
• industry conditions
• one-off events
• growth opportunities
• seasonality
• future pipeline
• and the strategy behind the business

The numbers matter.

But understanding the business behind those numbers matters just as much.

Often the difference between a difficult application and a strong one comes down to preparation, context and communication.

One thing I’ve learnt after many years working with business owners is that finance often becomes a conversation too lat...
25/05/2026

One thing I’ve learnt after many years working with business owners is that finance often becomes a conversation too late.

Most owners are busy focusing on staff, customers, suppliers and simply keeping everything moving day to day.

It’s usually only when something changes quickly — rising costs, cash flow pressure, tax debt or rapid growth — that they finally stop and seek advice.

The problem is that fewer options often exist once the pressure has already hit.

That’s why having the right broker relationship matters.

Not just someone who can obtain approval, but someone who understands how repayments, structure and cash flow will impact the business long term.

Regular check-ins and early conversations can make an enormous difference before small issues become much bigger ones.

A good finance solution should support a business — not place it under more pressure.

🚫 A business loan decline doesn’t always mean “no options.”Working in SME credit taught me that many good businesses get...
18/05/2026

🚫 A business loan decline doesn’t always mean “no options.”

Working in SME credit taught me that many good businesses get declined for reasons outside of actual business performance.

3 common reasons:

• Cash flow pressure
• Lender policy changes
• Not enough supporting information

Every lender has different rules, risk appetite, and industries they prefer.

Sometimes it’s not about the business being “bad” — it’s about finding the right lender and presenting the deal properly.

That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to move from SME credit into commercial broking: helping business owners better understand their options.

Sometimes a “no” just means “not with that lender.”



Have you seen this happen?

11/05/2026

“Your accountant says you’re winning.
Your lender says you can’t borrow.
Same financials. Different lens.”

An accountant might look at your financials and say:

✅ Tax minimised
✅ Expenses maximised
✅ Profit reduced strategically
✅ Great tax outcome

A lender looks at the exact same numbers and sees:

⚠️ Lower borrowing capacity
⚠️ Reduced servicing ability
⚠️ Inconsistent income
⚠️ Higher lending risk

Neither is wrong — they’re solving for different outcomes.

Accountants focus on tax efficiency.
Lenders focus on repayment capacity and risk.

The challenge for business owners and self-employed borrowers is balancing both.

Tax strategies can be completely legitimate and effective — but they can also influence how lenders assess borrowing capacity.

Understanding those trade-offs early can help avoid surprises later.

Good planning isn’t about changing the numbers — it’s about understanding how different stakeholders interpret them.

Because sometimes saving tax today can impact opportunities tomorrow.

Planning matters.

Midday reset with Ivy 🌿🐾A quick walk, fresh air, and a change of scenery can make all the difference in staying focused ...
11/05/2026

Midday reset with Ivy 🌿🐾

A quick walk, fresh air, and a change of scenery can make all the difference in staying focused and delivering the best outcomes for clients.

What helps you reset and refocus during your day?

11/05/2026

Starting something new after spending years in banking has been both exciting and slightly uncomfortable.

At Westpac, I spent years assessing SME and commercial lending from the credit side — structured processes, internal systems, established relationships.

Moving into broking means building things from scratch:
• new relationships
• new routines
• putting myself out there
• and learning the business ownership side of the industry.

What’s surprised me most so far is how many business owners simply want someone who explains finance clearly and actually calls them back.

A lot of clients don’t need “fancy” solutions.
They need:

responsiveness
honesty
realistic guidance
and someone who understands how lenders think.

That’s the approach I’m aiming to build my business around.

Looking forward to continuing to grow my network and work with more business owners, accountants and advisers over time.

06/05/2026

After working in SME credit at Westpac, I recently moved into commercial and SME finance broking.

One of the biggest takeaways from my time in credit is this:
Many strong businesses don’t get declined because they’re “bad deals”—they get declined because the way the deal is structured or presented doesn’t align with how lenders assess risk.

Cash flow, financial presentation, existing debt structure, and even how the story is framed can completely change the outcome of an application.
In my current role, I work with business owners and advisers to help structure lending in a way that makes sense from a lender’s perspective—across working capital, equipment finance, and growth funding.

I also work closely with accountants and advisers who want a second set of eyes on lending scenarios before they go to market or when something has been knocked back.

If you ever have a client situation where you’d like a lending perspective or a second opinion on structure or feasibility, feel free to reach out—always happy to help where I can.

No pressure at all.

Address

Craigieburn, VIC
3064

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nicole Guise - Business Finance & Credit Insights posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category