There's no such thing as a "square deal" anymore. This week's Spotlight explores how brokers are adapting to a tougher commercial lending market using faster, more flexible non-bank solutions. Commercial lending has shifted – and brokers are right at the centre of it. As bank appetite tightens, costs rise, and deals become more complex, the old playbook isn't holding up. What's replacing it is faster, more flexible, and more strategic non-bank funding. Broker Daily's Julian Barnes is joined by Michael Volkiene, general manager of loan origination and credit at Msquared Capital, to unpack how brokers are adapting and why non-bank lending is becoming a critical part of the solution. This isn't about replacing banks – it's about filling the gaps they leave behind using short-term capital to unlock opportunities, manage time pressure, and create a pathway back to traditional funding. And increasingly, brokers are doing exactly that. Here's what's driving the shift: Brokers are reshaping deals with short-term, flexible non-bank funding to bridge gaps and secure opportunities. Speed, certainty, and transparency are becoming critical as bank appetites shift. A more strategic, long-term approach is helping brokers retain clients and navigate complexity. In a market that's only getting tougher, the brokers who win won't just be the ones who find a lender – they'll be the ones who know how to structure the deal.

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