For commercial developers, one of the most common headaches isn’t construction - it’s securing a bank guarantee. For decades, bank guarantees have been slow, paper-heavy, and prone to delays, often taking weeks to process, and creating costly delays for projects.
Avenue Bank, Australia’s first and only bank dedicated solely to bank guarantees, has reimagined the process from the ground up, transforming what was once a manual and frustrating task into a fast, transparent, digital experience.
“From day one, our vision was to completely rethink how guarantees work,” said Avenue Bank CEO Peita Piper. “We wanted to build a system that puts developers back in control, delivering the same assurance, but with the speed and simplicity modern business demands.”
The Old Way: Bureaucracy and Bottlenecks
Traditionally, securing a bank guarantee meant navigating layers of paperwork, collateral checks and lengthy approvals.
Applications often required collateral assessments, director guarantees, and multiple signatures, with even small errors causing lengthy back-and-forths.
“Before Avenue, the process was slow and stressful,” Ms Piper said. “Developers could wait four to six weeks just to get a guarantee approved - it was completely out of step with the pace of modern business.”
For developers, those delays could stall construction, strain cash flow and push back critical milestones.
The Avenue Way: Digital, Streamlined and Fast
Avenue Bank takes a fundamentally different approach. As a fully licensed, APRA-regulated bank covered by the Financial Claims Scheme, Avenue operates a secure, digital-first platform that lets customers complete the entire process online.
Applications can be submitted in minutes, draft guarantees are automatically generated for review, and the final guarantee can be issued the same day once funds are received. The platform provides end-to-end visibility, with no branch visits, fewer errors, and predictable turnaround times.
“What used to take days now happens in hours, letting developers focus on delivering projects, not chasing paperwork,” Ms Piper said.
Purpose-Built for Developers
Avenue Bank’s business model is deliberately specialised. Unlike legacy banks that juggle countless products and services, Avenue’s sole focus is delivering guarantees that are fast, fair and fuss-free. By concentrating on one product, the bank has developed deep expertise, streamlining decision-making, and designing a process that reflects how developers actually work.
“Specialisation means we understand the pain points and the pace of the industry, and that allows us to move faster and provide clarity at every step,” Ms Piper said.
“Developers know exactly what to expect and can trust that their guarantee will be handled efficiently.”
Bank Guarantees Made Easy
Avenue Bank helps developers navigate their obligations across site acquisitions, construction projects, leases, regulatory requirements, and joint ventures - quickly and reliably.
Its fast, fully digital platform makes it easy for developers to secure deposits, assure performance, satisfy landlords, meet council or government obligations, and maintain trust between partners.
Benefits at a glance:
· Fully Digital and Instant: Guarantees are electronic, secure and instantly verifiable.
· Fast Turnaround: Applications, approvals, and issuance happen online in hours.
· Straightforward Eligibility: A valid ABN or ACN for corporate trustees is all that’s required.
· Reduced Administration: Integrated systems make tracking and management simple.
Whether securing a performance guarantee for contractual obligations, a lease guarantee for a commercial tenancy, or a project guarantee to satisfy requirements, Avenue Bank ensures developers can obtain the right guarantee quickly and digitally.
Fully cash-backed, Avenue Bank guarantees to remove one of development’s most frustrating bottlenecks, keeping projects on schedule and on budget.
Take control of your guarantees and keep your projects on track. Visit www.avenuebank.com.au to learn more.
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