FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company need, such as the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every company need, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge against assets, and may include registration with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans of $250,000 or more, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial well-being questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be on different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request within quality business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply in normal business time and let us use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed your 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 offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects for determining your well-being of your company and the amount of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the health of the company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request one of our company financing, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the business has been operating as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company loans experts. The experts will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from an asset they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing by using the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money however, we do need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.