FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Seatoun Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Seatoun Small Business Loans
Seatoun unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business need, such as control of cash flow business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Seatoun Business Loans
What is the Larger Seatoun Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s by way of charge on assets and can include registering this on 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 stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business creditor 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 lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim on 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 can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We might be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be based on different terms.
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, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for the 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 easy. Just complete the online application in few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically provide a response in one hour if you apply during quality company times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within standard business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors in order to assess what is the health that is your business and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess your health for your company and the extent 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 business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been running, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loans professionals. They’ll offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and secure your information, is crucial and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner utilises the assets they have to make the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money however, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.