What if my circumstances change before settlement?
You need to tell the lender. An approval can be withdrawn or reworked if something material has shifted. Approvals are given on the position you presented, so a lost contract or a new debt sits inside what a lender expects to hear about. Most letters of offer put that obligation on you in writing. Raising it yourself early usually leaves room to restructure the deal. Finding out at settlement rarely does.
The changes lenders want to hear about
Anything that moves serviceability or security is worth a call. A big customer leaving. New equipment finance taken out between approval and settlement, which is a common one because buyers often order the gear early. A director resigning or a shareholding change. Tax debt that has slipped. On property deals a valuation can also be reordered if settlement drags. Lenders usually revalidate bank statements and ATO portal reports shortly before drawdown, so a change tends to surface anyway. Better it comes from you.
What usually happens next
It depends on the size of the change. Small movements often get noted and the deal proceeds. Something material usually goes back to credit for a fresh look, which can mean a lower limit or extra security rather than a flat decline. Timing is the risk. If you are inside an unconditional contract with a settlement date, a reassessment eats days you may not have. This is where a broker earns their keep, because the same file often still works with a different lender.
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Last updated 15th July 2026. Reviewed by Authorised Credit Representative 554584 of Australian Credit Licence 414426.