Finance Specialist: Why banks are doubling down on business lending

In the latest episode of Finance Specialist, hosts Liam Garman and Trent Carter examine the major banks' aggressive push into business lending and what it signals for brokers operating in the SME and commercial credit space. With latest data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority showing the top 10 banks' business lending books closing in on $1 trillion, the discussion unpacks why commercial credit has become such a priority for lenders. Carter explains how tightening margins in residential lending have driven banks to focus on higher-yielding, relationship-based business banking, where risk-adjusted pricing and cross-selling opportunities create stronger returns. The episode also considers what this competitive shift means for brokers. Garman and Carter break down how familiarity and trust keep many SMEs with major banks, while challenger banks and specialist lenders carve out space through flexibility and faster decision making. For brokers, the message is clear: understanding lender segmentation, defining a niche, and knowing which funder suits which scenario is increasingly critical as competition intensifies across Australia's commercial credit landscape.