Customer story - Sara and Jason
Here are experiences of our real-life customers
See how we helped Sara and Jason, self-employed borrowers who had been knocked back by the banks, achieve their property goals.
Sarah and Jason had their eye on a new blue cottage up the coast. Due to the changes in the bank’s rules and criteria around self-employed individuals, they found themselves looking for other home loan options.
Pepper Money studied their portfolio and considered the full picture, looking beyond rigid checkboxes so they can finally get the keys to their new house1.
"We were going to lose the house. The bank said no - but Pepper Money said yes."
Jason: From the bank's point of view, what had changed since our previous approval was their rules around self-employed and people that owned their own business. And that's where I guess Pepper Money was able to be more flexible and more understanding around the circumstances of people in our positions.
Now we're able to look at the complete picture rather than the bank who just had their boxes that they were sort of trying to tick.
Self employed? Credit history issues? Income that doesn't tick the standard boxes?
We understand that in real life everyone’s situation is different. That’s why we keep our thinking flexible and look at a variety of factors when we assess any application for a home loan.
1All applications are subject to credit criteria. Terms, conditions, fees, and charges apply. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Information provided is factual information only, and is not intended to imply any recommendation about any financial product(s) or constitute tax advice. If you require financial or tax advice you should consult a licensed financial or tax adviser. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
*An indicative interest rate and estimated repayments is not a formal approval for a loan and financial commitments must not be entered into based on it. It is not a suggestion or recommendation of any particular loan product. It is a guide only based on the limited information provided and the credit score obtained. The actual interest rate and fees will depend on the borrower’s circumstances and the information verified during the loan application assessment.
© Pepper Money Limited ABN 55 094 317 665; AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 286655 (“Pepper”). Pepper is the servicer of home loans
Contributor | Sarah Pikardt, Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah joined Pepper Money in 2011 and was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in 2025. She leads the marketing function and strategic development of the brand in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on improving customer experience. Read more.
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What our customers think about us
Seamless Home Loan Process
I received a call within 24 hours of settlement to set-up loan and offset accounts. It was great customer service and product knowledge. Better service than the big 4. Simply outstanding!
Great lending criteria
We’ve used Pepper Money to get our foot in the door for both our family home and our investment properties. They have a very reasonable lending criteria and also friendly service.
Helped us get into a house when others couldn't!
All the staff at Pepper Money were polite and helpful. Considering my current financial situation, I was actually very pleased with the low interest rate. Plus, the flexibility to make extra repayments and redraw are helpful features. I’m so grateful to Pepper Money for keeping the whole lending process simple and helping me when the major banks wouldn't.
Most helpful mortgage company ever
These guys are great. Every time I call they’re helpful and easy to understand. I’ve had mortgages with many banks over the years and these guys are the easiest to deal with that I have ever come across. Thanks for making every call easy and not a scary, stressful experience like other companies have been in the past.
Always there when we needed them
We went with Pepper Money for our first loan 11 years ago and now have our second with them. They were good to us, always understood our needs, and helped us when Covid made it difficult for us. They are there to help if we ever need them.
Such an easy process
Their excellent team assisted us from start to finish. They work with you all the way through the process, making my home loan a reality! It was a very smooth process. I’m a repeat customer with Pepper Money and always enjoy their customer service.
Information provided is factual information only and is not intended to imply any recommendation about any financial product(s) or constitute tax advice. If you require financial or tax advice you should consult a licensed financial or tax adviser.
All applications for credit are subject to credit assessment, eligibility criteria and lending limits. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
The results of the borrowing power calculator are based on information you have provided and is to be used as a guide only. The output of the calculator is subject to the assumptions provided in the calculator (see 'about this calculator') and are subject to change. It does not constitute a quote, pre-qualification, approval for credit or an offer for credit and you should not enter commitments based on it. The interest rates do not reflect true interest rates and the formula used for the purpose of calculating estimated borrowing power is based on the assumption that interest rates remain constant for the chosen loan term. Your borrowing power amount will be different if a full application is submitted and we complete responsible lending assessment. The results in the calculator do not take into account loan setup or establishment fees nor government, statutory or lenders fees, which may be applicable from time to time. Calculator by Widgetworks.
Pepper Money Personal Loans is a brand of Pepper Money Limited. Credit is provided by Now Finance Group Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence Number 425142 as agent for NF Finco 2 Pty Limited ACN 164 213 030. Personal information for Pepper Money Personal Loans is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with Pepper’s Privacy Policy & the credit provider’s Privacy Policy.
Pepper Money Limited ABN 55 094 317 665; AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 286655 (“Pepper”). All rights reserved. Pepper is the servicer of home loans provided by Pepper Finance Corporation Limited ABN 51 094 317 647. Pepper Asset Finance Pty Limited ACN 165 183 317 Australian Credit Licence 458899 is the credit provider for asset finance loans.
Pepper and the Pepper Money logo are registered trademarks of Pepper Group Assets (Australia) Pty Limited and are used under licence.
