From fringe to force:
Pepper Money marks 25 years

Over its 25 years, Pepper Money has pioneered solutions that reshaped the lending landscape. From introducing Near Prime to helping borrowers who didn’t fit into traditional lending boxes, to launching white-label partnerships, the leading non-bank has consistently broken new ground.

Reflecting on the milestone, Pepper Money CEO Mario Rehayem said the company’s values have remained unchanged. “A lot has changed in 25 years, but the core values of Pepper Money have remained the same. We’re here to help people succeed, to create access, and to fill gaps in the market where traditional lenders can’t or won’t,” said Rehayem.

Championing financial inclusion

Pepper Money was born out of a desire to provide Australians with real alternatives to the banks. “When Pepper Money was born, banks dominated the market, and many Australians had few options beyond them. We started on the fringes with bold ambitions: to open the doors for everyday Australians to access the financial products they needed: first-time buyers, investors, self-employed entrepreneurs, and those rebuilding their financial lives. Today, we’re a force in the market driven by purpose.

“We've seen customers go from being turned away to owning their first, second, and even third homes, or growing their businesses from a single van to a thriving fleet,” he said.

From our humble beginnings, we’ve become the category leader of non-banks. In 25 years, we’ve supported more than 64,000 self-employed customers and over 50,000 specialist borrowers - who don’t always fit the mould but deserve the same opportunities.

Rehayem added, “Near Prime was significant for us. Before we launched it, borrowers were either bank-standard or paying a huge premium for non-conforming products. We created a solution for those in between.”

Backing brokers

Brokers have been central to Pepper Money’s growth story. From day one, we were a broker-led non-bank, purpose-built around their needs. Our entire model was designed with brokers at the centre, and that remains true today.

“Our success comes down to our deep understanding of our distribution partners - and a genuine commitment to listening and acting on their feedback. We invest in their tools, technology, and knowledge to ensure they can confidently serve customers who might otherwise be overlooked,” Rehayem said. As of today, over 24,000 accredited brokers and asset finance introducers write with Pepper Money.

A culture that sets Pepper Money apart

At the heart of Pepper Money’s success is its people. With more than 800 team members across three regions, representing 59 nationalities and 56 languages, the business has built a diverse and inclusive culture that underpins its growth.

“Pepper Money has never succeeded because of an individual. It’s a collective that believes in the narrative and executes on it. Our people are the reason we’ve been able to grow at our pace - they bring the heart, the resilience, and the innovation that defines who we are,” said Rehayem.