FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Sturt Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Sturt Small Business Loans
Sturt unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, such as control of cash flow business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Sturt Business Loans
What is the Larger Sturt Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost any business need, including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for 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 accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more it is possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial health checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six 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 you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer a response in one hour, provided you make your application in standard business timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply in standard business time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you upload the copies of bank accounts, it may 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 certain amount, we look at a variety of variables in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of your business and the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company as well as the amount of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, the long the business has been running, whether the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit professionals. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner makes use of the assets they have to secure the funding. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.