FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Northcote Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Northcote Small Business Loans
Northcote unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger Northcote Business Loans
What is the Larger Northcote Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost all company purpose including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour – provided you make your application in normal business times and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you send us documents from your account statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors in order to assess the health of the company and the amount of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the company.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
When you make an application for one of our company loan, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please call our helpful company loan specialists. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Should I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as stipulated in the loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.