With more than 15 years of combined finance experience and over 20 years in high-pressure sales and leadership environments, Peta Johansen has assisted thousands of Australians across personal, business and asset finance solutions.
Additionally, her third-generation background in finance and automotive brings a unique combination of hands-on industry knowledge, commercial understanding, and real-world experience navigating how lending works in practice.
“I’ve always been a money-and-numbers girl,” Peta says.
“Even as a kid, maths problems only made sense when I could connect them to real-life money situations. That curiosity shaped the way I think, solve problems, and support people today.”
People First. Always
Years working across finance, sales and fast-paced industries taught Peta one thing very quickly:
No two client situations are ever the same.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach,” she explains.
“Nothing is textbook. You need to understand the client’s situation, their goals, and the different ways finance may fit around their life or business. But first and foremost, people come first.”
That philosophy sits at the centre of Custom Choice Lending, the brokerage Peta co-founded alongside her mother, Kim Berdugo.
“Finance conversations are often tied to major life decisions, business growth, opportunities, and milestones,” Peta says.
“Helping someone navigate their options and understand what’s available — that’s the real reward. Without a human-first approach, finance simply becomes transactional.”
NT-Based, Supporting Australians Nationwide.
Being based in the Northern Territory has shaped the way Peta and the team approach lending conversations.
In regional communities especially, trust, relationships and genuine connection still matter deeply.
At the same time, Custom Choice Lending supports clients Australia-wide, bringing that same personalised support and clear communication no matter where clients are located.
“With access to a large panel of trusted lenders, we’re able to explore multiple scenarios and finance structures for each client,” Peta explains.
“Clients aren’t restricted to one lender’s policies or limitations. We can workshop options, broaden what may be available, and tailor solutions around individual situations.”
Understanding Finance Options Beyond Just Fast Approvals
In today’s fast-moving online world, however, it’s easy for borrowers to become overwhelmed by comparison websites, online noise, and pressure to chase the “fastest approval.”
Instead, Peta believes the better approach is helping people properly understand their finance options before making decisions.
“At Custom Choice Lending, we don’t just process applications,” she says.
“We see the person, the goal, and the next chapter behind the enquiry.”
The team focuses on helping clients:
- Understand finance structures
- Compare lending pathways
- Explore available options
- Move forward with greater clarity and confidence
“Once people understand what’s available and how different options may work, they’re able to make decisions faster and with far more certainty.”
Speed, Structure and Commercial Understanding
For business and commercial clients especially, speed and structure matter equally.
Peta and the team understand how important efficient processes, clear communication and commercial awareness are when navigating:
- business finance
- commercial lending structures
- equipment finance
- asset funding solutions
“Once we understand the client’s position properly, we can move quickly,” Peta explains.
“It allows us to simplify the process, save time, structure finance efficiently, and ensure clients remain informed throughout every step.”
Why Custom Choice Lending Was Created
Peta and Kim launched Custom Choice Lending to build a business that:
- Moves quickly without cutting corners
- Keeps clients informed throughout the process
- Focuses on understanding people first
- Supports clients through multiple stages of life and business growth
- Simplifies complex finance conversations
“Every enquiry represents something important happening in someone’s life or business,” Peta says.
“Being trusted to support that journey is something we never take lightly.”
Experience That Makes the Difference
Many Australians feel overwhelmed by finance options, online information, and uncertainty around what may actually suit their situation.
Peta believes the biggest difference often comes down to having someone willing to slow the process down long enough to properly explain it.
“What changes the experience for people is having the opportunity to ask questions, explore different structures, and understand what’s available,” she explains.
“Sometimes clients discover opportunities or solutions they didn’t even realise existed — simply because nobody had previously taken the time to explain them clearly.”
That relationship-driven approach has helped build long-term client trust, with many clients continuing to work with Peta throughout different stages of their personal and business journeys.
📩 Australians exploring personal, business or asset finance options can book a complimentary 15-minute Lending Plan Call with Peta and the team at Custom Choice Lending to workshop available lending pathways and explore finance solutions with clarity and confidence.
Custom Choice Lending does not provide financial advice. All finance applications are subject to lender approval and individual eligibility criteria. Any referral arrangements are disclosed, client consent is obtained prior to sharing information, and commission is only paid if a loan settles.
P and K Investments Pty Ltd ABN 73 691 067 437 trading as Custom Choice Lending is a Credit Representative of Finsure Finance & Insurance Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence (ACL) 384704. Read our privacy policy here