FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Silverstream Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Silverstream Small Business Loans
Silverstream unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company use, including cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Silverstream Business Loans
What is the Larger Silverstream Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost every business need, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge over assets, and may include the registration of this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if 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 records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a company 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth 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 loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application in quality business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements , it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to 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 within standard business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining your well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess your health of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for the company financing, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been operating as well as in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (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 commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company loans professionals. The experts will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner makes use of an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money however, we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as detailed in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get an individual guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.