FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company reason, such as control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost all business use, including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets, and may include registration in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans of more than $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We might be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be based on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
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 have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for a 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 simple and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will contact you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply during quality business timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statement, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide a response in one hour – as long as you make your application in normal business hours and permit us to use the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide the decision in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of variables to determine your health that is your business and the amount of repayments that your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of factors to assess the health of the company and the level of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for our company credit, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a customised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the company has been operating for, whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and at what time, from the 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 on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business lending experts. They will offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner makes use of assets they own to make a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access However, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.