FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Wattle Downs Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Wattle Downs Small Business Loans
Wattle Downs unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business reason, such as managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Wattle Downs Business Loans
What is the Larger Wattle Downs Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your business needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost all company use, including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains 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.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 it is possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could be based on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Application details 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 twelve months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request within standard business hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within an hour if you make your application at standard business times and allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements to determine the health that is your company and the amount of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess your well-being of your business and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to request the business financing, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been operating, whether the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
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 decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending specialists. They’ll provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is vital and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner utilises an asset they own to secure a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of banks, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I need security to secure a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you can get a personal ensure and security in the form an asset charge.