FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Semaphore South unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Semaphore South Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore South 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 to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. You must be 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 demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost all company use, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include registration on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could have different terms.
The 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 over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour if you make your application at standard company hours and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within one hour – as long as you apply at standard business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors in order to assess what is the well-being of your business and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health that is your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for the business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the business has been operating and what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please contact our helpful company lending professionals. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial part of our relationship 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 financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner uses an asset that they own to obtain the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you are able to get an individual ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.