FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Totara Vale Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Totara Vale Small Business Loans
Totara Vale unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as cash flow management, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About larger Totara Vale Business Loans
What is the Larger Totara Vale Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, 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 the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used for almost all business reason, such as company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge on assets and can be registered in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger company loans that is greater than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an 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 worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide a response in one hour, provided you submit your request during standard business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as the span of one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you apply during standard business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining your well-being for your company as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as health of your company and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, how long the company is in operation for, how long the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly business credit professionals. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital 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 personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner makes use of an asset that they own to make the funding. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.