Founded in July 2025 and based in Melbourne, SB Lending Group is a modern finance brokerage specialising in residential, commercial, and development lending. We support professionals and wealth creators with clear, strategic advice tailored to their goals.
We believe finance should be simple and purposeful. Whether you are buying your first home, growing a property portfolio, or funding a new project, our team provides guidance with clarity and confidence.
In January 2026, SB Lending Group expanded into Cairns to better support clients across Far North Queensland and regional Australia. Our Cairns office is led by Tom, who brings a strong background in customer service, leadership, and business management, with a focus on clear communication and practical lending solutions.
Across both Melbourne and Cairns, our clients benefit from personalised advice, deep lender access, and a consistent commitment to long term outcomes.
Melbourne
Chris Salm
Director - SB Lending Group
Senior Finance Broker
Chris brings more than 17 years of comprehensive experience in banking, finance and customer service, having built an impressive career with leading institutions including Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Mortgage Advice Bureau, and La Trobe Financial.
His eight-plus years at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank saw him take on diverse roles that contributed significantly to his expansive knowledge base. Chris's expertise spans crucial areas including Business Banking, Risk Management, Operations, and Branch Banking. Following his tenure there, he stepped into the role of General Manager at UK stock exchange-listed Mortgage Advice Bureau, before taking on a Senior Manager position at La Trobe Financial. This breadth of experience across multiple aspects of finance makes Chris a versatile and valuable leader within the Podium team.
Outside of work, Chris is a dedicated sportsman with a rich history in cricket, having played with Carlton for 16 years (earning life membership) before moving into coaching with premier Cricket Club Northcote. He still plays basketball with his high school friends weekly and enjoys golf with fellow school dads in their self-titled "Royal Alphington Golf Group." When not on the sporting field, Chris can be found playing guitar, though he admits his singing skills don't quite match his financial expertise.
With over a decade of experience spanning customer service, leadership, business, and sales management, Zac has successfully transitioned into finance broking, demonstrating his strategic planning and execution capabilities.
He works alongside a highly skilled team of brokers who collectively possess over 90 years of industry expertise, providing comprehensive support across residential, commercial, asset finance, and small business lending needs. At the heart of Zac's approach is an unwavering focus on the customer. Every decision revolves around understanding and meeting their unique requirements, celebrating their individuality, and addressing their distinct and often complex needs.
His philosophy is grounded in support and simplicity, guided by core values of communication, integrity, and punctuality. Through Podium's network of more than 30 lenders, Zac ensures clients receive a wide range of options, delivered with straightforward and transparent service.Outside of work, Zac loves spending time with friends and family at the beach and playing guitar.Zac Barnett
Director - SB Lending Group
Senior Finance Broker
Contact
zac@SBLendingGroup.au
0418 796 211
chris@SBLendingGroup.au
0402 095 632
Cairns
With over a decade of experience across customer service, leadership coaching, agile coaching, business, and sales management, Tom brings a unique and highly transferable skill set to mortgage broking. His background in agile coaching and project delivery equips him with a structured, adaptable, and outcomes-focused approach, ensuring every client journey is well-planned, transparent, and clearly articulated.
Tom understands that securing finance is not just a transaction, but a process that requires clarity, collaboration, and trust. Drawing on his agile experience, he works closely with clients to break down complex lending scenarios into clear, manageable steps, keeping communication lines open and priorities aligned from application through to settlement.
Working alongside the highly experienced team at SB Lending Group, with over 30 years of combined industry expertise, Tom is supported to deliver tailored solutions across residential, commercial, asset finance, and small business lending. Leveraging SB Lending Group’s extensive lender panel, he ensures clients have access to a broad range of options, matched carefully to their individual goals and circumstances.
At the heart of Tom’s approach is a strong commitment to the customer & keeping it simple for his clients. He values clear communication, transparency, and punctuality, and takes pride in providing a supportive and straightforward experience, especially for clients navigating complex or unfamiliar lending decisions.
Based in North Queensland, Tom is passionate about building long-term relationships within the local community. Outside of work, he plays cricket for a local club and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two boys. Tom Rullmann
SB Lending Group
Finance Broker
Contact
tom@SBLendingGroup.au
0455 115 500
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