The 5-Box Checklist Every Family Office Lender Runs Before Taking Your Call

I reviewed a Family Office lending mandate yesterday.

It explains why sponsors struggle to raise capital.

They'll lend against fine art, precious metals, aircraft engines and real estate. But they won't move without a transparent capital stack and exit strategy.

No credible exit strategy = no conversation.

They want to know HOW you’ll pay them back.

- Aviation
- Shipping
- Infrastructure
- Distressed refinancings
- Cross-collateralised structures
- Securities-backed liquidity

But they still want downside protection covered.

Before I send them a deal, I must tick these boxes:

- First-ranking collateral control
- Verifiable ownership
- Clean capital stacks
- Defined exit strategies
- Strong legal enforceability

Private lenders are not always “risk-on.”

They're just better at pricing it.

Do any deals in your pipeline pass this checklist?