FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the New Zealand Small Business Loans
Tell me more about New Zealand Small Business Loans
New Zealand unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger New Zealand Business Loans
What is the Larger New Zealand Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. It is necessary to 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 demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used to fund almost any company use, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge against assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for 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, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request at standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer an answer in as little as 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements , it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in standard business time and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors for determining what is the health that is your company and the level of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine the well-being of your company as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to request our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a tailored offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is operating in, how long the business has been running for, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit professionals. They will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow routine, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner utilises an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I need security for a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money However, we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.