When Lenders Become Partners
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In a market flooded with transactional lending, brokers like Ramy Farjou from Grono Group are always on the lookout for something different — lenders who think like partners, not just providers of capital. That’s exactly what he found with Bowery.
Ramy has spent years advising property developers, structuring complex transactions and walking clients through the full acquisition journey — from funding strategy and financial modelling to negotiation and settlement. For him, trust and track record matter more than anything.
This case study highlights how Bowery stepped up when others stepped back.
A finance broker built on principle.
Ramy’s reputation precedes him. Known in the industry as a broker of principle, he’s the kind of adviser who plays the long game. He’s structured deals across business acquisitions, professional services, and property development — often stepping in to negotiate on behalf of his clients, and at times even forgoing his own fee to protect a relationship or ensure all parties walk away whole.
“The first rule of investing is don’t lose your capital. That applies to lenders too. I once helped a borrower refinance to avoid default, made sure the lender got their capital and interest back, and didn’t take a cent myself. Sometimes it’s not about the fee — it’s about doing what’s right.”
Long story short: when Ramy speaks highly of a funding partner, people listen.
A deal four years in the making.
The Glen Waverley project is a prime example of what can go wrong — and what the right lender can do to help make it right.
In 2019, Ramy helped his clients acquire a development site in a blue-chip pocket of Glen Waverley. Initially approved for apartments, the project was caught in a year-long tug-of-war with council, which pivoted toward favouring a lower-density townhouse development. The developers pursued the revised plans, but even that came with friction, delays and the need to escalate through VCAT.
By the time planning approvals were finally secured, the original land facility — held through a private lender Ramy had worked with before — had run its course. Construction was ready to begin, but time had run out.
“They were stuck between two bad options. The current lender wanted to exit. But the project wasn’t ready to move forward on a construction facility just yet. We were boxed in.”
To make matters worse, the client had made a late design change — widening the internal lift — which triggered fresh delays with council. Technicalities around drainage and wall setbacks added another six months to the process. Meanwhile, their construction facility was ticking down with no work commenced. Reapplying with the same lender meant high upfront fees and essentially starting from scratch.
That’s when Bowery entered the conversation.
Flexible thinking & real-world solutions.
Ramy had met Bowery’s Sharif Gharib through a mutual connection. Although he’s naturally cautious around private lenders — many lack the liquidity, transparency, or commerciality to properly support developers — Sharif stood out.
“He’s driven, sharp, and above all, he cares. When he’s in your corner, he really fights for the transaction. He doesn’t just approve or decline — he engages, he understands, he problem-solves.”
What made Bowery different for Ramy was not just a willingness to come in mid-deal — but how we did it. We structured a new land facility that gave the client breathing room and agreed upfront to roll into the construction facility once approvals were finalised. It wasn’t a typical step-in. It was a rescue mission — one done with precision, patience, and purpose.
“Most lenders would say no. Too messy. Too late. Too hard. Bowery said, ‘Let’s figure it out.’ And they did.”
The power of the people behind the paper.
While the deal mechanics mattered, Ramy says it was the human side that really set Bowery apart.
Mark Murray, Sharif, and Darby Peng — the leadership and credit team at Bowery — didn’t just sign off. They showed up. They walked the site. They called the client. They took the time to fully understand the challenges and future potential.
“My clients felt like Bowery was in it with them. Not just funding it — but emotionally invested. They actually wanted to make Mark and Sharif proud. You don’t see that very often.”
Sharif brought urgency and accountability. Darby brought composure and financial discipline. Mark brought leadership and strategic oversight. Together, they created a rhythm that Ramy says most lenders only dream of replicating.
“It’s rare to find a lender that balances empathy with commercial rigour. Bowery has that balance.”
Lending that adapts to reality.
We work with a flexible hand, moulding each deal to suit the unique shape of our client’s needs — just like a potter adjusts their touch as the clay spins. Thanks to this hand, the Glen Waverley project — three high-end townhouses around the corner from the bustle of Kings Way, priced in the high $2 millions each — is now on track. With the project now under construction, Ramy credits our success to three things:
- Flexibility. A realistic facility length, structured to absorb real-world delays
- Judgment. The ability to look beyond surface-level numbers and understand commercial merit
- People. A team that cares, communicates clearly, and shows up when it counts
“Anyone can lend. Not everyone can lead. Bowery does both.”
Why brokers keep coming back.
For brokers like Ramy, who work with both vanilla and complex transactions, Bowery fills an important gap — particularly for deals between $2–10 million, where institutional lenders often struggle to be flexible.
When funding timelines, council decisions, and design changes create chaos, Ramy says Bowery brings calm — and commitment.
“There’s no perfect project. Things go sideways. You need a lender who can walk through the fog with you — not just lend into a spreadsheet. That’s Bowery.”
Want to learn more about partnering with Bowery?
We work with brokers across Australia on both simple and complex property deals. Whether it’s development site acquisition, construction or residual stock, we’ll help you find a path forward. Get in touch today.
