Commercial finance
specialists
Commercial property, SMSF, construction, business and equipment loans for investors and business owners. Led by principal broker Nick Clunes.
Nick Clunes
Director and Principal Broker. Nick started in banking in trust and company lending and has focused on commercial finance ever since.
He works with property investors, business owners, developers and SMSF trustees, from a first strata unit to groups with several trusts and companies. Nick is based in Neutral Bay and works across Sydney and Newcastle.
MAICD. Justice of the Peace (NSW). Credit Representative 530711.
Commercial loan broker for Sydney and Newcastle
Commercial lenders each have their own appetite for property types, locations, structures and loan sizes. Going lender to lender takes time and does not guarantee the right result. We know which lenders want your deal before it goes in, and we prepare it the way their credit teams read it.
Recognised by the industry
Who we finance
Investors and owner occupiers across most commercial property types, and the businesses that trade from them.
Medical and allied health
Suites, clinics and practice purchases for GPs, dentists, vets and allied health.
Industrial and logistics
Warehouses, factory units and yards in Western Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.
Childcare
Centres with long leases to established operators, and owner operator purchases.
Retail and hospitality
Shops, strip retail, cafes and food franchise sites.
Construction and trades
Builders and trades buying yards, plant and their own premises.
Professional services
Accountants, lawyers and consultants buying the office they work from.
Four steps from first call to settlement
Nick runs your deal himself, from the first call to settlement and the reviews after.
Talk
A short call to understand what you want to buy or fix, your structure and your timing.
Plan
We work out which lenders fit, what they will ask for and what it will cost, and set it out in writing.
Apply
We prepare the application so the credit team has fewer questions, then manage valuations and approvals.
Settle and review
We take it through to settlement, then review your lending as rates and your plans change.
Two home markets
Our office is in Neutral Bay. We work across Greater Sydney and Newcastle, and have completed deals in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
What clients say about Nick
Rated 5.0 from 87 Google reviews of The Lending Lab. Read them on Google.
“Nick went above and beyond to help us buy our property. He took time to explain the process, presented options to achieve our goals and secured us a great mortgage that helped us lock in our property.”
“Nick was very helpful, professional as well as friendly. Answered all questions and concerns. Absolute professional and gets things done in a prompt manner.”
“Excellent service by Nick. Was very thorough from the start to the end and was quick to respond to any questions we had.”
Seen and heard on
Business TV, Sep 2026
Podcast, 2024
News, 2025
Profile, 2021Two more ways we help
Nick also runs Groundwork Commercial and Levelhead. Each does one job well, and any finance they lead to is arranged through The Lending Lab.
Looking for a home loan?
Home loans, refinancing and first home buyer loans are on our main site.
Go to thelendinglab.com.auCommon questions
What does The Lending Lab Commercial do?
We are a commercial finance broker. We arrange commercial property, SMSF, construction, business and equipment loans through banks, non-banks and private lenders, and manage each loan through to settlement.
Do you do home loans?
Yes, through our main site. Home loans, refinancing and first home buyer loans are handled at thelendinglab.com.au.
Where do you work?
Our office is in Neutral Bay. Most clients are in Greater Sydney, Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast, and we have completed deals in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. See where we work.
How are you paid?
For most loans the lender pays us a commission when the loan settles, and sometimes an ongoing commission. We set out what we will be paid in writing before you go ahead. If a deal needs a fee from you, such as some private or complex commercial loans, we agree it in writing first.
Do I deal with Nick or a call centre?
Nick. He is the director and principal broker, and he runs your deal from the first call to settlement.
What is the link with Groundwork Commercial and Levelhead?
All three are run by Nick. Groundwork Commercial teaches commercial property finance and has free calculators. Levelhead prepares forecasts and credit papers for business owners. Any loan that comes from either is arranged through The Lending Lab.
Talk to Nick
Tell us what you are trying to do. Nick will call you back, usually within a business day, and tell you plainly whether we can help.