Vía Capital

Land Bank & Pre-DA Finance

Private lending for developers who need to secure a site before development approval is in hand. We lend against the as-is value of the land while the DA process runs - giving your client time to work through council without losing the site.

Product Parameters

Loan size
$1,000,000 - $20,000,000
Maximum LVR
60% of as-is land value
Loan term
3 - 12 months
Security
First registered mortgage over the land
Development approval
Not required - this product is specifically for pre-DA situations
Borrower entity
Company or trust with corporate trustee
Geography
NSW, VIC, QLD

All parameters shown are indicative and based on standard scenarios. We may work outside these parameters depending on the strength of the deal. Contact us to discuss your specific scenario.

View full product parameters →

How it works

1

Site identified, contracts exchanged

Your client has found the site, exchanged contracts, and needs to settle - but the DA hasn't been issued yet. A land bank loan from Vía Capital funds the settlement, giving your client control of the site while the planning process runs.

2

DA process runs

With the site secured, your client works through the DA process - council lodgement, neighbour notifications, planning authority review. The land bank loan holds the site during this period.

3

DA approved, refinance to construction

Once development approval is issued, your client refinances out of the land bank facility into a construction loan - either with Vía Capital or with another lender. The land bank loan is repaid from the construction facility proceeds.

Is this the right product for your client?

This suits:

  • •Experienced developers who need to move quickly to secure a site in a competitive market
  • •Developers whose DA timeline means they can't wait for bank construction finance to be approved
  • •Situations where the land itself has strong security value independent of the proposed development

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the DA is refused - how does my client repay the loan?
This is the key risk in pre-DA lending, and we assess it carefully. We lend against the as-is value of the land - the value the site holds regardless of development outcome. The exit in a DA refusal scenario is typically sale of the land at or above the purchase price. We require evidence that the land has genuine standalone value before approving a pre-DA facility.
Do you require a DA lodgement before approving the loan?
We require that a DA has been or will be lodged within a reasonable timeframe. We're not comfortable funding land purchase where there's no active planning intent. Speak to us about your client's specific situation.
Can the land bank loan convert to a construction loan?
In appropriate circumstances, yes. If the DA is approved and the project stacks up, we can refinance the land bank exposure into a construction facility for the same borrower. This is subject to a separate credit assessment at that point.
Do you lend on greenfield land?
Generally no. Our focus is urban and metropolitan land with clear development potential and established comparable sales evidence. Speak to us if your client's deal is regional or has specific characteristics.

Got a deal that needs a private lender?

Submit your scenario and we'll come back with an indicative position - loan amount, LVR, term - within 24 business hours. If it doesn't fit, we'll tell you that too.

Submit a Land Bank Deal