ACMF

What ACMF does

ACMF (Australian Commercial Mortgage Finance) is a Melbourne-based, privately-held boutique financier founded in 2001 by Albert Callegher, operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence. The company specialises in short to medium-term asset-based lending to property developers, originating construction loans ($3m-$80m), urgent bridging facilities (up to $15m, settled in 2-5 business days), land finance ($2m-$15m), short-term loans ($1m-$50m), and first and second mortgages (9-11% pa and 18-21% pa respectively). ACMF does not rely on cash-flow serviceability testing; instead it assesses underlying real estate value, project team quality, and market demand, and will accept credit issues, insufficient pre-sales, and time-sensitive deals that mainstream banks decline. Its largest disclosed loan is $89m (Surfers Paradise), and over $1bn of cumulative deal flow has been completed.

The business operates a structure-and-distribute model. ACMF does not hold the full loan book on its own balance sheet; it aggregates capital from three sources — its own ACM Fund, a related 268 Fund for wholesale investors, and a core group of lending partners — to deliver complete finance packages. On the investor side, ACMF deploys capital into direct mortgages (from 12% pa monthly) and equity participations (18-25% pa at project exit). Customer acquisition is conducted almost entirely through an introducer network of brokers, accountants, property advisory firms, real estate agents, and lawyers, with ACMF explicitly ceding client ownership to introducers. There is no proprietary technology platform; the firm runs manual underwriting, QS reporting, onsite visits, and an in-house legal team. ACMF is single-jurisdiction (Australia), headquartered at Level 9, 488 Bourke Street, Melbourne, with a small leadership team (CEO, lending manager, senior analyst, in-house counsel, head of operations and marketing) and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

ACMF

Legal name

Australian Commercial Mortgage Finance

Website

https://acmfinance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACMF is a Melbourne-based boutique financier providing asset-based construction, bridging, land, and short-term loans (mostly $2m-$80m) to Australian property developers, funded through investor funds and lending partners and sourced via an introducer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Construction & Development Finance

NAICS

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Commercial Banking (522110)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Private Credit (CRE Debt) (FSANADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Asset-Based Lending (ABL) (FSANADAD), SME Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Lending (FSABABAG)

Keywords

• Construction finance
• Bridging loans
• Property development lending
• Asset-based lending
• Commercial mortgage finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income - Construction Loans: ACMF earns interest income on construction loans ranging from $3m to $80m (or $100m per some pages), with rates starting from 9.5% pa for first mortgages. These are short to medium-term interest-only loans for the construction period (12-24 months).
2. Interest Income - Bridging & Short-Term Finance: Short-term bridging loans up to $15m with typical terms of 3-12 months. Interest rates tailored to LVR risk profile and loan term. Credit issues are accepted with brief explanation required.
3. Interest Income - Land Finance: Land acquisition funding from $2m to $15m, typically 6-12 month terms. Rates quoted on case-by-case basis with prepaid interest deducted for the loan period.
4. Interest Income - First & Second Mortgages: First mortgages at 9% pa – 11% pa, second mortgages at 18% pa – 21% pa (only for ACMF's own debt structure). Residential and commercial real estate starting from 9.5% pa with minimum loan size $500k.
5. Management Fees - Investor Services: ACMF manages investment products for wholesale investors, HNW individuals, and family offices. Returns from 12% pa paid monthly for direct mortgage investments, 18%-25% pa on equity fund investments. ACM Fund ranks last behind investor capital.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ACMF is a boutique specialist financier providing asset-based construction, bridging, land, and short-term loans to Australian property developers and construction businesses who cannot obtain funding from traditional banks. Loan sizes range from $1m to $80m (with larger amounts considered case-by-case), funded through ACMF's own Fund, lending partners, and wholesale investor capital. The firm also operates investor products (268 Fund, ACM Fund) delivering returns from 12% pa paid monthly for wholesale investors and family offices.

Product overview

ACMF (Australian Commercial Mortgage Finance) is a specialist development finance firm offering a portfolio of asset-based lending products rather than a unified platform. The core product suite includes Construction Finance ($3m-$80m), Urgent Bridging Loans (up to $15m), Short Term Finance ($1m-$50m), Land Finance ($2m-$15m), and Commercial Finance/Mortgages. These products are complemented by a Stand-By Facility feature for construction loans and Mortgage Management services for loan monitoring. On the investor side, ACMF offers Direct Mortgage Ownership, Property Fund (268 Fund), and Equity Fund products. The company operates under an AFSL and funds loans through its network of lending partners and internal fund, targeting developers, brokers, accountants, and property advisory firms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 268 Fund: Property fund 100% backed by registered mortgages on Australian real estate security, used for ACMF lending products. Returns from 12% pa paid monthly, limited to 72% LVR.
• ACM Fund

Products and services

• Construction Finance Property development and construction funding ranging from $3m to $80m (internally funded with funding partners and ACMF Fund), with first mortgages from 9.5% pa and second mortgages at 18.5%–21% pa. Offers nil pre-sale requirements when debt is below 65% LVR with strong property demand. For property developers and construction businesses needing project capital.
• Urgent Bridging Loan Short-term urgent bridging facility up to $15m, settled in 2–3 business days with lending partners, exclusively for companies for business purposes. Credit issues accepted with brief explanation. For property developers needing fast bridging finance to meet settlement deadlines.
• Short Term Finance Short-term loans ranging from $1m to $50m for terms of 3 to 24 months, typically settled in 3 to 5 business days. Older valuations may be acceptable subject to LVR limits with defined repayment. For borrowers needing flexible short-term capital.
• Land Finance Site acquisition funding for property development from $2m to $15m, ideal for running development permit applications. Prepaid interest deducted for loan period of 6–12 months. For property developers acquiring land for development.
• Commercial Finance & Mortgages Low doc short to medium-term financing with first mortgages at 9%–11% pa and second mortgages at 18%–21% pa. Offers refinancing and additional working capital for completing projects. Residential and commercial real estate starting from 9.5% pa with minimum loan size $500k. For developers and commercial property owners.
• Direct Mortgage Ownership Investment Investment product allowing investors to invest directly into short to medium-term mortgages with the investor's name on title. Returns from 12% pa paid monthly, limited to 72% LVR. Minimum investment $200,000 for wholesale investors ($500,000 per Corporations Act 2001). For wholesale investors, HNW individuals, and family offices.
• 268 Fund (Property Fund) 100% registered mortgages on Australian real estate security, used only for ACMF lending products. Returns from 12% pa paid monthly, limited to 72% LVR with minimum investment of $200,000. Operates under an AFSL. For wholesale investors seeking real estate-backed passive income.
• ACM Fund (Equity Fund) Investments into property development projects secured on title, earning 18%–25% pa. Investors are fully repaid when project is completed, sold, and/or refinanced. ACM Fund ranks last behind investor capital in the debt structure. Consistent targeted returns with nil capital loss since inception. For wholesale investors and family offices seeking property development equity exposure.
• Mortgage Management Services Loan management and loan term monitoring service for commercial mortgage loans, including detailed assessment of loan proposals, searches, documentation, and preparation of internal and external reports for investors. For wholesale investors holding ACMF-managed mortgages requiring portfolio oversight.

Quantifiable outcome

• Settlement within 2-5 business days for bridging loans with proper documentation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Law Firm (In-House and External)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerACMF works in conjunction with their law firm for practical loan management. In the Glenelg case study, ACMF lawyers advised the vendor's lawyers that funds were available and set aside, providing written confirmation to ensure the rescission notice was not acted upon.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aussie Home Loans: Major Australian mortgage broker and lender with a broad customer base. While not focused on construction finance like ACMF, it represents the broader Australian non-bank mortgage ecosystem that ACMF competes within.
• Mortgage Choice: Large Australian mortgage broker network operating across residential and commercial lending. Comparable to ACMF's introducer network model, though Mortgage Choice is a much larger, diversified broker rather than a direct lender.

Direct peers

• Pepper Money: Australian non-bank lender specializing in non-conforming residential and commercial mortgages, including asset-based lending. Comparable to ACMF as a specialist non-bank lender serving borrowers who fall outside traditional bank criteria.
• Liberty Financial: Australian non-bank lender offering residential, commercial, and asset finance products. Comparable to ACMF as a non-bank alternative providing flexible lending products to property investors and developers.
• Brighten Home Loans: Australian non-bank mortgage lender offering residential and investor loans to non-conforming borrowers. Comparable to ACMF as a non-bank alternative for borrowers who don't meet traditional bank lending criteria.
• Firstmac: Large Australian non-bank mortgage lender with a focus on residential and investment property loans, including self-employed and non-conforming borrowers. Comparable to ACMF as a non-bank alternative in the Australian property credit market.
• Bluestone Mortgages: Australian non-bank specialist residential mortgage lender focused on non-conforming borrowers. Has a comparable asset-based, non-bank lending approach to ACMF, though more focused on residential rather than commercial development.
• La Trobe Financial: Major Australian non-bank lender and fund manager offering residential mortgages, commercial loans, and construction finance. Comparable to ACMF through its asset-backed lending model and direct lending to property developers and investors.
• Resimac: Australian non-bank lender specializing in prime and non-conforming residential and commercial mortgages, including construction and bridging finance. Comparable to ACMF as a non-bank alternative to major banks for property-backed lending.

Emerging players

• Thinktank: Australian non-bank lender specializing in self-employed and complex borrower scenarios. Comparable to ACMF as a non-bank lender accepting non-standard borrower profiles, though more focused on residential lending than commercial development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACMF