The Private Lending Playbook: 8 Steps To Structuring A Strong Private Lending Deal
Private lending works best when the deal is structured correctly from the outset.
These insights come directly from Assetline’s private lending team, the same people assessing and approving your deals every day.
Getting the structure right early keeps the process moving, especially in time-sensitive scenarios. It also gives you clarity when speaking with clients and confidence in the path forward. Ultimately, it opens the door to more deals.
Start With Why Exactly The Capital Is Required
Clarity matters from the outset.
Be precise about why the capital is required and where it is going. A well-structured deal clearly outlines how much is allocated to each purpose and whether the funding is defensive or growth focused.
What exactly is the capital for?
How much goes to each purpose?
Is it defensive or growth capital
Let The Asset Lead The Conversation
Private lending starts with the asset.
Present it clearly and factually. Location, condition, tenancy and current market value all matter. Avoid over-polishing or relying on future upside to carry the deal.
Strong submissions focus on what the asset is today, not what it might become.
Size The Loan For Stress
The goal is not to push leverage to its limit.
A well-structured deal considers what happens under pressure.
Ask yourself:
Does the deal survive a 10 to 20 percent value drop?
Is the leverage based on the as-is value of the asset?
Is there enough buffer to cover interest, fees and potential delays?
Match The Term To The Reality
Look at what actually needs to happen before repayment. Whether it is a sale, refinance or development milestone, the timeframe needs to reflect reality.
Ask yourself how long that process will genuinely take and what could delay it.
If the base case is 18 months, the loan term probably should not be 18 months.
Building in that buffer upfront gives the deal room to move and avoids unnecessary pressure later.
"Good private lending starts long before an application is submitted. It starts with understanding the deal, challenging the structure and making sure every part of the scenario stands up before it reaches credit."
Laura Stanley
National Director - Private Lending
Be Clear On The Exit
Every deal needs a clear and credible exit strategy.
Whether it is a refinance, asset sale or cash flow solution, the path to repayment must be well defined. A strong exit strategy shows a well thought out plan, not just an intention.
Well-structured scenarios also account for what happens if the primary exit is delayed. A clear Plan B should be just as considered and realistic as Plan A.
That level of clarity removes uncertainty, builds confidence and helps move deals through credit faster.
Address Risk Early
All deals carry some level of risk. What matters is how it is presented and showing that all scenarios have been considered.
Strong submissions acknowledge:
What could go wrong
How likely it is
What protects the lender
Show How The Deal Gets Done
Execution matters just as much as structure.
We want to clearly understand why this deal will get done and why we should have confidence in it.
Be explicit about:
Do you control the deal?
What are the key requirements to get it over the line?
Are other lenders involved or competing?
How quickly does the borrower realistically require funds?
Clarity here builds confidence in execution and plays a key role in how quickly a deal progresses.
Ensure Your Application Is Complete
Many deals do not fall over because of credit, they fall because of presentation.
A strong submission is clear, coherent and complete. It tells the story of the deal in a way that is easy to understand and assess.
Make it easy for us to see the ‘yes’ in the scenario.
The Bottom Line Of Private Lending With Assetline
Private lending is a powerful tool in a broker’s arsenal.
It gives you the ability to get deals across the line for a wide range of clients, particularly those who fall outside traditional lending. For many borrowers, it is not a one-off solution. It becomes part of their broader strategy, used time and time again to unlock opportunities and support long-term wealth growth.
When structured correctly, it creates momentum. It gives clients confidence to act and gives you a clear pathway to deliver outcomes.
If you are unsure how to position a scenario, bring it to us early. Our team works alongside brokers to shape deals before submission, providing clear direction on structure, exit and positioning.
Explore our key private lending features to see where these solutions fit.
