FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Somerville Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business use, including managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large business loan is a great option for almost all business need, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge over assets, and could include registration in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able to pay back 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 which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger business loans of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will call you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID 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 also need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within an hour, provided you make your application at standard business times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour – provided you submit your request within normal business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of factors in order to assess your health that is your company and the level of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess your well-being that is your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide an individualised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the business has been operating for, in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company loan specialists. They will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
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 deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and 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 protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner utilises the assets they have to make the loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or a company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of an asset charge.