FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. We offer a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business use, including managing cash flows, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, 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 funds for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all company purpose including business remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This is in the form of a charge over assets and can be registered in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We might be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request within quality company times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer an answer in as little as an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you apply at standard business hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables in order to assess the well-being for your business and the level of payments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to assess the health that is your business and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for the business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the company has been operating and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company lending professionals. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is crucial and a vital 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 sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner borrows from an asset that they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is means of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get an company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access but we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.