FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Stepney Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Stepney Small Business Loans
Stepney unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company use, including managing cash flows, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Stepney Business Loans
What is the Larger Stepney Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost any company reason, such as company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge on assets and can be registered in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We might 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 a few financial health questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within one hour if you apply in standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you make your application during normal business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects to determine the well-being of the company and the extent of payments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your business and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment the company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company operates in, the long the business has been in operation as well as what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan experts. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being transparent about how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from assets they own to get the funding. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Should I require security for an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form the charge of assets.