Finance for people whose story needs to be properly understood
Finance Story is a Melbourne based finance brokerage helping business owners, SMSF investors, self-employed borrowers, commercial property buyers and complex income clients structure lending options clearly before the application is submitted.
Founded by Shane Duffy, Finance Story combines mortgage and finance broking with real commercial experience. The focus is not just finding a lender, it is about understanding the purpose of the finance, the borrower’s position, the documentation, the risks and the story a lender needs to see.
What Finance Story does
Finance Story is a specialist finance brokerage based in Melbourne , working with clients across Australia. The business helps borrowers with home loans, commercial property loans, SMSF lending, business finance, equipment finance and complex lending scenarios. Finance Story has particular experience helping business owners, self-employed borrowers and clients whose income, structure or lending purpose needs to be clearly explained before an application is submitted.
A different way to approach finance
Most lending decisions are not just about the interest rate.
The lender wants to understand the borrower, the income, the security, the deposit, the purpose of the loan, the repayment position and the risk. When the borrower is self-employed, buying commercial property, using an SMSF, acquiring a business or relying on complex income, the story behind the application matters.
The borrower
Income, employment, business structure and repayment position.
The purpose
What the finance is for and how it fits the bigger picture.
The lender fit
Which lenders are likely to understand the application and why.
Before recommending a lender, we work through what you are trying to achieve, what information will matter, where the likely approval issues may sit and how the application should be structured.
Shane Duffy founded Finance Story after more than 25 years working across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, IT, consulting and business improvement.
Before becoming a finance broker, Shane worked with large Australian and global businesses on complex operational and capital projects. That background shaped the way he looks at lending. A loan is not just a product. It is part of a broader decision about cashflow, risk, growth, security and timing.
That commercial experience is especially valuable for business owners, self-employed borrowers and investors whose situation does not always fit a standard bank checklist.
Shane holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering and a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking.
About Shane Duffy
Founder, Finance Story
25+ years commercial experience
Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering
Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking
The lending story matters
A strong application needs more than numbers on a form.
It needs to explain why the finance is required, how the borrower will repay it, what security is being offered, what documentation supports the position and why the lender should be comfortable with the risk.
That is where Finance Story helps.
We help translate complex lending situations into a clear structure that lenders can assess. That may involve comparing bank, non-bank and specialist lender options, identifying documentation gaps, testing the borrower’s position early and making sure the application is structured properly before it is submitted.
Finance Story works with clients who want practical lending guidance before they commit to a purchase, refinance or application.
Who Finance Story helps
Business owners
Finance for commercial property, working capital, growth, equipment finance and business acquisitions.
Self-employed
Home loan and investment loan options for borrowers whose income does not always fit a standard PAYG assessment.
Commercial property
Commercial lending for owner-occupied and investment properties, requiring a clear explanation of the asset, lease, income and repayment position.
Complex borrowers
Support for borrowers who are self employed, have multiple income sources, trust structures or recent business changes.
Expats
Loan options for Australians overseas, returning expats and borrowers with foreign income or overseas-linked circumstances.
SMSF investors
Lending for SMSF property purchases where structure, compliance, liquidity and lender policy all need to be considered.
What we believe
Good finance broking should make the decision clearer, not more confusing.
✓ Understanding the goal before talking about products
✓ Explaining options in plain English
✓ Identifying likely lender issues early
✓ Comparing lenders based on fit, not just advertised rates
✓ Being realistic about what may or may not work
✓ Encouraging the right legal, tax, accounting or financial advice where the decision needs it
✓ Staying involved before, during and after settlement as your finance needs change
Why clients choose Finance Story
Clients often come to Finance Story when their situation needs more than a quick rate comparison.
The value is in helping clarify the lending position, identify suitable lender options and explain the application properly before it is submitted.
Commercial experience
Finance Story brings a business and commercial background to lending conversations, helping clients think through cashflow, structure, risk and timing.
Clear guidance
The aim is to explain the options clearly, compare lenders based on fit and help clients make decisions with a clearer understanding of the risks and next steps.
Complex lending focus
Many clients have self-employed income, business structures, SMSF lending needs, commercial property plans or circumstances that do not fit a standard checklist.
The Finance Story process
The Finance Story process is designed to make the lending position clearer before an application is submitted.
① Understand
We start by understanding what you are trying to achieve, what has changed and what the finance needs to support.
② Assess
We review the borrower position, income, security, deposit, timing, documentation and any likely lender concerns.
③ Compare
We consider which bank, non-bank or specialist lender options may fit the scenario.
④ Structure
We help organise the application so the lending story is clear, supported and submitted to a suitable lender.
⑤ Stay involved
We stay involved before, during and after settlement as your finance needs change.