When it comes to securing finance, many people assume that if their current lender says no, the answer will be the same across the board.

But that’s not always the case. Different banks have different risk appetites, policies, and lending criteria, and a rejection from one lender doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

A recent experience with my existing clients highlighted this perfectly. They had been with their bank for years and had a strong relationship with them. When they found a property they were keen to purchase, they decided to test the market to see what other options were available. I put the opportunity out to tender—not only to their current bank but also to two other lenders. The result? The two new banks responded positively, seeing the value in the opportunity and being open to the increased lending. Meanwhile, their existing bank deemed the transaction too risky and declined to proceed.

This is not an uncommon scenario. Lenders assess risk differently based on their internal policies, current market conditions, and even their appetite for lending in specific sectors like agribusiness. Just because one bank isn’t willing to move forward doesn’t mean there aren’t others who will.