Borrowing, made clear
From portfolio to possibility.
A clear conversation. An individual assessment. A facility with responsibilities you understand.
Available to wholesale clients only, as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Not available to retail clients.
The process
Start with what you own. And what you want to do.
Borrowing capacity is assessed against eligible investments. It is not simply a fixed percentage of every portfolio.
Tell us about your plans
Describe the funding purpose, timing, borrower and portfolio. An initial conversation does not require account passwords or sensitive documents.
Understand your options
We assess eligibility, portfolio composition, concentration and the proposed use. We discuss available capacity and the appropriate facility.
Review the terms
Consider interest, fees, security, custody, repayment and margin obligations. Approval and signed documentation are required before funding.
Manage the facility
Security values and borrowing capacity can change. Ongoing monitoring and your obligations continue for the life of the loan.
Eligibility
Who and what we lend against.
Eligible borrowers
Wholesale clients as defined in the Corporations Act, verified before any facility: individuals, companies and trusts, with guarantees from related parties where appropriate.
Eligible security
Listed shares and ETFs across 60 markets, managed funds, fixed income and cash, in 25+ currencies. Select private equity holdings are considered case by case. Liquid portfolios remain the core; property is not accepted as security.
What we do not lend for
Superannuation funds, including SMSFs, are not accepted as borrowers. Facilities are not provided for personal, domestic or household purposes, or to retail clients. Concentrated single-stock positions are not excluded, but are assessed and margined differently.
Eligibility is assessed instrument by instrument and portfolio by portfolio. Inclusion in the eligibility universe is not an approval or a promise of availability.
Before you borrow
How a facility actually works.
The detail advisers and credit professionals ask about first: how eligibility is set, what a margin call involves, where the securities are held and how concentrated holdings are treated.
Read the detail: eligibility, margin calls, custody, concentrated holdings
How eligibility is set
Each security is assessed on its own merits, not by a flat rule. The main inputs are liquidity (how readily it can be sold without moving the price), price volatility, the depth of the market it trades in, and the currency it is held in. A portfolio is then assessed as a whole for concentration: a large single-stock or single-sector position supports less borrowing than a diversified one of the same value. Eligibility and lending values are reviewed as markets change, so a holding’s status can move over time. Rates, advance percentages and limits are only quoted within a facility proposal.
What happens in a margin call
Security values are recalculated as markets move. If the value of pledged securities falls so that the facility is above its agreed limit, a margin shortfall exists. Volans aims to contact you, and your adviser where there is one, before a shortfall becomes an event. You then have an agreed period to restore the position by repaying part of the loan, adding cash, or pledging additional eligible securities. If the shortfall is not resolved within that period, or markets move sharply, Volans may sell pledged securities to restore the position, as set out in the facility terms. The timeframes and the order of sale are agreed in the documentation before any drawdown.
Custody and security
Volans takes a security interest over the pledged portfolio. How that is held depends on the channel: on a wrap or platform, holdings generally stay in the client’s account with a control arrangement; for directly held securities, a security interest is registered and the holdings may move to a nominee or custodian. In each case, who receives dividends and distributions, how corporate actions are handled, and what trading is permitted while securities are pledged are set out in the facility terms. Clients retain the economic benefit of their investments unless securities are sold to resolve a shortfall or default.
Concentrated holdings
Founders, executives and participants in employee share schemes often hold most of their wealth in one listed company. A concentrated position can still support a facility, but it is assessed differently: the lending value reflects the single-stock risk, the stock’s liquidity and any escrow or trading restrictions, and the facility is sized so that a sharp fall in that one share does not immediately create a shortfall. Borrowing against a concentrated holding can be an alternative to selling down at a time or price you would not choose, and it is also where margin risk is highest. It is assessed case by case, and only after the restrictions on the holding are understood.
General description only. The facility documentation prevails on timeframes, restoration of a shortfall, custody and sale rights. Not financial product advice.
Your questions
Clear answers. Better decisions.
Who is Volans for?
Volans serves eligible wholesale clients, directly and through financial professionals and wealth platforms. Eligibility, the borrower, security and proposed purpose are assessed for each facility.
What determines how much I can borrow?
The assets held, liquidity, volatility, concentration, currency and facility terms all matter. A portfolio review is needed before any lending amount can be confirmed.
Do my investments need to move?
Custody and security arrangements depend on the channel and facility. Confirm the arrangement for your portfolio before proceeding.
Can my shares be sold?
Yes. A margin shortfall or default may require additional security, repayment or the sale of pledged investments. Borrowing does not guarantee that you can retain every holding.
Is borrowing always preferable to selling?
No. Compare interest and fees, tax consequences, market risk and your repayment plan. Independent financial and tax advice can help you assess the alternatives.
Can my adviser or broker introduce me?
Yes. Financial advisers, stockbrokers, finance brokers and mortgage brokers can discuss an introduction. Volans assesses the borrower, purpose and portfolio.
Are all purposes and countries available?
No. Availability depends on the borrower, jurisdiction, purpose and facility. These pages describe the Australian wholesale offering; they do not offer lending in every country.
Your next step
What could your portfolio support?
Tell us what you hold and the funding need you want to explore.
Enquire