FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The St Georges Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the St Georges Small Business Loans
St Georges unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is possible to apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company reason, such as managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About Larger St Georges Business Loans
What is the Larger St Georges Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be 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 demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost all business purpose including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, and could include registration on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We may be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company 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 you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer a response in one hour if you make your application at standard company time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within just an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application in standard business time and allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors in order to assess the health that is your company and the level of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to assess the health for your company and the level of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request our business financing, we will assess the risk profile of 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 and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the company is in, how long the company has been in operation, how long the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and when, from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please contact our helpful business loan specialists. The professionals will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is crucial and an integral part 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 sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner borrows from the assets they have to get the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the banks with the biggest size, 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 is a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stated in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.