FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Birkdale Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Birkdale Small Business Loans
Birkdale unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an instant response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company purpose including the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Birkdale Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkdale Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets, and may be registered through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
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 objects or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to make the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you make your application at standard company time and let us utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 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 upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during standard company hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer within one hour – provided you submit your request at normal business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of elements in order to assess the well-being of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being that is your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you request one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile for your business and offer you with a customised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been operating as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please call our helpful business credit specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow routine, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of an asset that they own to get the funding. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.