Delfin was established as the Development Finance Company by John Marks in 1953.

The purpose of DFC was to serve as an "investment banking service" that would "assist Australia’s industrial development by providing long-term finance and permanent capital to Australian companies.

[2] DFC entered the real estate development market in 1969.

Via an indenture signed by its subsidiary, Delfin Management Services Pty Ltd and the Government of South Australia, Delfin built a real estate development called West Lakes.

[2] After separating from ANZ, Delfin Property Group was acquired by Lendlease in 2001 for $172 million (AUD).