NAB, IBA launch guarantee to unlock lending for First Nations businesses

• Corporate guarantee backs up to 50% of the loan amount for eligible businesses
• Up to $1m per loan, designed to assist First Nations businesses overcome property security barriers
• Builds on existing NAB and IBA collaboration to support to support First Nations businesses

NAB and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) have launched a new corporate guarantee designed to address one of the biggest barriers facing First Nations businesses: access to finance.

The initiative supports lending of up to $1 million per business, with IBA guaranteeing up to 50% of the loan amount.

The solution is designed to assist more businesses secure funding to support them to grow and prosper, where traditional lending requirements, such as property security, may have previously presented challenges.

The guarantee is one part of NAB’s ambition to lend $1 billion to Australia’s estimated 5,200 registered First Nations business and community organisations. It also aligns with IBA’s strategy to 2030, with a goal to invest $5 to 7 billion over the next five years to advance the commercial and economic interests of First Nations people.

“Strong First Nations businesses deserve innovative solutions that unlock capital, to help them realise their ambition and potential,” Mr Auerbach said.

“This guarantee helps remove that barrier, enabling good businesses to invest, grow and create jobs on their own terms. First Nations businesses are critical to local economies and communities. When they succeed, the benefits flow well beyond the business itself.”

IBA Chief Executive Officer David Knights said the guarantee will help support more First Nations business owners access the funding they need to invest and expand.

“First Nations businesses bring deep experience and innovation to the Australian economy, and access to finance helps them take the next step,” Mr Knights said.

“By broadening the access to capital for First Nations businesses and collaborating with the financial sector, we can expand the support available for businesses to achieve their goals. This is about backing strong business plans and supporting sustainable economic outcomes for First Nations people.”

The initiative builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by NAB and IBA in 2023. It forms part of the broader Indigenous business strategies and Reconciliation Action Plans of both organisations, demonstrating collaboration is key.

Information:

• First Nations business growth is estimated at 9% a year for the last five years; faster than the broader economy.
• Estimated number of First Nations businesses and community organisations sourced from the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Business and Corporation Snapshot Study 3.0.
• Businesses need to be at least 50% First Nations owned with active management of the business to be eligible for the guarantee, which is subject to NAB’s standard credit assessment and responsible lending practices.
• Any lending is also subject to IBA’s eligibility requirements, program limits and ongoing participation by NAB and IBA. Terms, conditions, fees and charges may apply.
• More about NAB’s $1 billion lending ambition to First Nations businesses and community organisations can be found on page 20 of NAB’s 2025 Annual Report.
• More about the IBA Strategy towards 2030 can be found on the IBA website.
• Businesses can speak to their NAB banker or NAB’s dedicated Indigenous Banking team to learn more about the Indigenous Business Guarantee or visit Indigenous business banking – NAB

About IBA

Economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is at the heart of what we do. Our programs support Indigenous Australians to buy their own homes, be successful in business, and invest in commercial ventures that provide strong financial returns. IBA was established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (ATSI Act) and is a corporate Commonwealth entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). IBA resides in the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and is accountable to the Australian Parliament through the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy.

About NAB

At National Australia Bank (NAB) Group, our ambition is to be the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand. More than 41,000 colleagues at the bank provide 10 million customers with secure, easy and reliable banking services. About 88% of the Group’s workforce are located in Australia and New Zealand, while others work in Asia, London, New York and Paris. NAB is proud to be Australia’s largest business lender. We stand by our customers, and they have our ongoing support.