FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Birkenhead unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Birkenhead Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkenhead Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost every business need, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge over assets, which could also be registered through 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 stating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger business loans of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We might be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can 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 company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard company timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – provided you apply within standard business times and you allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors that determine the health of your company and the extent of repayments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your company and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
When you request one of our business loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer you with a tailored offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the business is in operation as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in 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 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business lending professionals. They’ll provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner makes use of assets they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you are able to access the money however, we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.