FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Karaka Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Karaka Small Business Loans
Karaka unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company need, such as the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Karaka Business Loans
What is the Larger Karaka 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 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large company loan is a great option for almost all company need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, which could also include registration with the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you receive could be subject to different terms.
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 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply at standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision in just an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application during standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine your well-being of the company and the extent of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine the health for your business and the extent of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the business has been operating for, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business credit specialists. We will offer you with repayment details and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing 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 techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner utilises assets they own to get the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or a company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.