FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Birkenhead unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. The company loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including cash flow management, company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Birkenhead Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkenhead Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger business loan can be used to fund almost all company purpose including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This is in the form of a charge on assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company borrower is unable 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 contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for a 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 fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply at quality business timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision in just 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide a response in one hour – provided you apply at standard business times and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects for determining how much we can lend you health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine your health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business operates in, how long the business has been operating for, in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please contact our helpful business lending experts. We will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow general, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is vital and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link 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)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner borrows from the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or a company asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lending institutions, even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required before you can access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.