FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Otara Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Otara Small Business Loans
Otara unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business use, including cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Otara Business Loans
What is the Larger Otara Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger business loan can be used to fund almost all business use, including company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets and can include the registration of this on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request within standard company hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request within standard business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of variables for determining what is the health for your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
When you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine your well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, the long the business has been operating for, how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with 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 pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company credit experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is vital and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of assets they own to secure the loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new funding using the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access However, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as stated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you can get personal guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.