FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Karori Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Karori Small Business Loans
Karori unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company use, including cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About Larger Karori Business Loans
What is the Larger Karori Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the business needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any company use, including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge over assets, and could include the registration of this in the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have 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 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request during standard company timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in just one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request in normal business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit 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 elements for determining the well-being of the company and the extent of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to assess the health for your business and the extent of payments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business operates in, the long the company has been operating, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending experts. They’ll offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner makes use of the assets they have to secure the funding. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of banks, including the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally there is a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.