Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 16-Nov-18

Patrick Cocquerel of Westpac says the lack of a benchmark price for lithium has made banks somewhat reluctant to provide financing for Australian lithium producers. The nation’s burgeoning lithium industry has instead been largely financed via debt, equity, specialist lenders and payments from forward sales of the metal. Foreign banks have also been more willing to provide financing for lithium projects, but Cocquerel notes that local banks – including Westpac – are becoming more active in the sector.

CORPORATES
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, PILBARA MINERALS LIMITED – ASX PLS, GALAXY RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX GXY, BNP PARIBAS SA, KIDMAN RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX KDR, SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA SA, S&P GLOBAL MARKET INTELLIGENCE, ALBERMARLE CORPORATION