Lender Engagement Playbook

Choose lenders before you approach them.

Lenders differ in what they fund, how fast they move and what they require. The wrong approach wastes months and can close doors. The right sequence presents one strong file to the right few. This playbook covers the main lender types, how to choose between them, how to approach them, and how to manage the conversation through to a term sheet and drawdown.

What it covers

1. Lender types
2. Choosing a lender
3. Preparing the approach
4. The first meeting
5. Credit process and timeline
6. Reading a term sheet
7. Managing the relationship
8. Playbook checklist

About this guide

Written by the BlackLeaf team, this is the 2026 edition: 11 pages, free to read online or download as a PDF. It is general information for South African owners, boards and families, and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Speak to a qualified adviser before you act on it.

How BlackLeaf can help

BlackLeaf raises senior debt, mezzanine, equity and asset finance through a structured process and a financier-ready file.

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