Finance Specialist: Mixed market signals and the changing world of SME lending

SME brokers are navigating a more complex market than ever, with some sectors showing renewed confidence while others pull back. In this episode of Finance Specialist, host Liam Garman sits down with Accendo Financial partner Trent Carter to unpack how brokers can interpret, and respond to, conflicting economic signals. The episode opens with a news wrap covering the RBA's steady rate decision, Beyond Bank's pause on pre-approvals, and new data showing stronger confidence among some SME owners. Carter explains why these indicators matter and how they shape borrowing behaviour and lender appetites. Garman and Carter then dive into the shifting SME lending environment, from rising insolvency rates to increased demand for business term debt, as older owners look to retire or sell. They explore the sectors powering ahead, healthcare, aged care, agribusiness, and mining services, and what this means for brokers advising growth-focused clients. The conversation also unpacks the rise of private credit and fintech working-capital solutions, and how brokers can use these tools to solve increasingly complex client needs. Carter highlights the importance of interpreting a client's business story and demonstrating value far beyond securing a loan, as regulation and lender expectations continue to evolve.