FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Whenuapai Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Whenuapai Small Business Loans
Whenuapai unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an instant response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Whenuapai Business Loans
What is the Larger Whenuapai Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large business loan is a great option for almost all company use, including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets, and could be registered through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application within quality business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 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 link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply in standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables in order to assess what is the health for your business and the level of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess the health of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and offer you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the company operates in, how long the business is in operation for, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please call our helpful business credit professionals. They will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, 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 employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner uses an asset that they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security for an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as stipulated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.