FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Green Fields Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Green Fields Small Business Loans
Green Fields unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business purpose including the management of cash flow, 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 Green Fields Business Loans
What is the Larger Green Fields Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost all company need, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge on assets, and may include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business 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 records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial health checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Complete the online form 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), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request during standard company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply within standard business time and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining your well-being for your company and the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to determine your health for your company and the amount of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business loans, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know the exact amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation, how long the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan 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 cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please speak to our friendly business credit specialists. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner uses the assets they have to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.