Pallas Capital professionals analyzing lending strategies in a modern office setting.
Pallas Capital has announced a remarkable increase in its lending activities, reporting $2.9 billion in new loans for the financial year. This signifies a 54% growth from the prior fiscal year. The surge includes 316 transactions, with significant contributions from New Zealand’s construction lending market. Despite a slowdown in some areas, Pallas Capital’s proactive strategies and expanded offerings have positioned it strongly amid a cautious outlook from investors and ongoing market challenges.
Pallas Capital has revealed a significant increase in its lending activities, originating _$2.9 billion_ in new loans and investments during the financial year 2025. This represents a remarkable 54% growth compared to the previous fiscal year, highlighting an active and expanding presence in the lending market despite some ongoing challenges.
The record volume of loans comprised a total of 316 transactions, which translates to an average deal size of approximately _$9.3 million_. Noteworthy is that the lending activity saw a slowdown in the second quarter, which amounted to _$273 million_ in fully drawn limits. This decline was largely attributed to a soft lending environment specifically in the commercial real estate sector.
The growth in loan originations was particularly pronounced in New Zealand, where Pallas Capital settled a total of _$98.5 million_ in loans during the quarter. The company also introduced a comprehensive range of construction lending products tailored for the New Zealand market, responding to the specific financial needs of local developers. Out of the 87 loans settled in this region, 66 were first mortgages and 21 were second mortgages, indicating a strong demand for reliable financing solutions.
In fact, construction loans represented nearly 45% of all loans settled by Pallas during the quarter. This marks a growing confidence in construction projects as demand persists for new developments. Loan repayments also showcased positive metrics, with _$27.7 million_ in repayments recorded for the quarter, accumulating to a substantial _$5.3 billion_ in repayments since the company’s inception across 750 transactions.
While Pallas Capital’s growth reflects an upward trend, investor sentiment in Australia remains cautious. Many potential buyers are waiting for a decline in interest rates before engaging in new projects. Major banking institutions predict that interest rates may be cut in late 2025 or early 2026, which could potentially reactivate previously postponed projects.
The outlook for Central Business District (CBD) office properties, often viewed as troubled assets, is expected to improve due to a limited new supply in the market. Nevertheless, the conditions in New Zealand are mixed, characterized by high vacancy rates and diminished asset values in sectors like CBD office and retail properties. Interestingly, Christchurch appears to be outperforming major cities such as Auckland and Wellington in market performance.
There is a noticeable demand for investment loans concerning stabilized assets and pre-development loans for new sites. This demand is being driven largely by conservative loan-to-value ratios extended by banks. Additionally, the popularity of residual stock loans has been on the rise, making up approximately 15% of the second quarter settlements, as developers gain confidence in their ability to sell remaining stock.
The competition in the construction lending sector has intensified, affecting lending terms and conditions. To maintain its competitive edge, Pallas Capital has nearly doubled its origination team and ramped up its market presence, particularly focusing on regions like Christchurch and Adelaide.
Pallas Capital’s impressive loan origination numbers reflect a strong year of growth and indicate a positive outlook despite ongoing market challenges. Investors and developers in both Australia and New Zealand are closely watching these developments as they navigate through shifting economic landscapes.
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