AMP Bank reenters self-managed superfund space

AMP Bank is making a comeback in the SMSF lending market as demand for self-managed super fund (SMSF) solutions continues to gain traction. 

The bank — which is part of Australian financial services firm AMP Group — is reentering the SMSF lending market with a new SuperEdge‑branded product line that will include residential SMSF lending solutions.

"From our work with brokers and our own research, we know there is demand for a well governed, transparent SMSF property lending option, particularly among pre-retirees who want more control and flexibility as they plan for retirement," Sean O'Malley, AMP Bank's group executive, told Australian Broker. 

The executive added that a greater number of Australians retiring is "a major driver. Brokers tell us trustees increasingly want greater control and flexibility as they shape their retirement income and investment strategy. But as people get closer to retirement, they also want confidence that their decisions are well structured, compliant and preserve liquidity. 

"Re-entering SMSF lending also aligns with AMP’s broader strategy to help more Australians retire with financial confidence," O'Malley continued. "By offering a responsible, well-structured lending solution, we’re supporting trustees who want choice, but not at the expense of safeguards. SMSFs are now a core part of how many Australians build long-term financial confidence and prepare for life after work." 

What are SMSFs and SMSF lending? 

SMSFs are a type of superannuation fund where members essentially liquidate their industry super and start their own. They then have the ability to manage their funds and decide where to allocate resources, versus an industry super, where investments are dictated by an employer. Some of the benefits include member tax breaks and the ability to borrow money from the SMSF in order to purchase property.  

SMSFs have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the potential for higher returns and more control over one's own finances. There were 653,062 SMSFs in Australia, according to the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO)'s June 2025 quarterly report, the latest data available. That's up from 563,474 in June 2019. 

And as SMSFs become more popular, the need for SMSF lending, or a limited recourse loan that the SMSF uses to purchase investment assets, has grown in lockstep. And as demand increases for SMSFs as a wealth-building tool, so too is the need for mortgage brokers and alternative lenders to understand the ins and outs of SMSF lending.

AMP previously supported SMSF property lending, but withdrew in 2018. "We’re now re-entering with a refreshed offer informed by broker feedback and aligned to today’s compliance expectations," O'Malley said. 

"We're returning now because we believe we can responsibly meet trustee demand, with clear policy settings, strong safeguards and a more modern digital experience," he added. "And as a challenger bank, we believe we also have an important role in driving innovation and serving segments of the community who are underserved by traditional banking products."

AMP's SMSF Lending: TLDR Need to know

SuperEdge is currently in a pilot phase, with plans to launch to the broader market in Q1 2026, AMP said. 

SMSF details: 

• Flexible repayment options — including principal and interest, or interest only — for up to five years. 
• Optional offset account helps the SMSF manage its cash and reduce interest, without mixing borrowed assets with other fund money.
• Brokers can submit and track applications in one digital place, with built-in checks that spot SMSF and limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) issues early, cut down on back-and-forth, and help get decisions faster.
•   Flat fees that include offset flexibility.
• Available to corporate trustee structure only. 
• Maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80%. 
• Minimum SMSF net assets of $300,000. 
• The SMSF must have at least 10% of its assets in cash or easily accessible funds after the purchase is complete.
• Property location rules: Only residential properties in zones one and one are allowed. Off-the-plan, construction, rural and commercial properties are not permitted. The property also cannot be lived in by the SMSF member.

"SuperEdge combines practical features, like flexible repayments and an optional offset, with a digital broker experience that helps reduce friction and improve turnaround times," said Michael Christofides, AMP director of lending and everyday banking. "We've built in automated SMSF structure checks and document validation to help cut rework while maintaining strong responsible lending settings.”