FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Semaphore Small Business Loans
Semaphore unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company need, such as control of cash flow company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Semaphore Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. 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 might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application in standard business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within 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 quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour – provided you make your application during standard business timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine your well-being that is your business and the level of payments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess your well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
When you request the company loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company operates in, how long the business is in operation, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loans specialists. They will offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, 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?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of paramount importance and a vital 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 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner borrows from an asset they own to secure a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or an company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money, however we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K generally, you can get an individual guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.