FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Birkdale Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Birkdale Small Business Loans
Birkdale unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business use, including the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Birkdale Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkdale Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger company loan can be used to fund almost every company purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge against assets, and may include the registration of this in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could be based on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request within quality business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide an answer within an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply in standard business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we look at a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you health that is your company and the extent of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess your health for your company as well as the amount of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our business loans, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business operates in, the long the company has been operating as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay, and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please call our helpful company credit experts. The experts will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner borrows from assets they own to obtain a loan. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.