FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily payment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan can be used to fund almost all company purpose including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, and may include registering this through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that is greater than $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply during standard business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide the decision within just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour – provided you apply at standard business timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($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 document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors that determine the well-being of the company and the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your company and the level of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you request the business credit, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been operating and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit experts. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner borrows from an asset that they own to get a loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home, or an business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.