FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Smithfield Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Smithfield Small Business Loans
Smithfield unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company purpose including control of cash flow company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Smithfield Business Loans
What is the Larger Smithfield Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan can be used to fund almost any company use, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by taking a charge on assets, and could include registration with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to pay back 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 the assets or goods). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger company loans that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID 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 also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply at standard company times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification to 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 time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour if you make your application in normal business timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to determine what is the health of the company and the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics for your business.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as health for your business and the extent of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request our business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and offer you with a tailored offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the business has been operating for, how long the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business lending experts. They will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner uses assets they own to secure a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.