FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Northpark Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Northpark Small Business Loans
Northpark unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business need, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Northpark Business Loans
What is the Larger Northpark Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any business use, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registration with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan of $250,000 or more we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an 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 demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will call you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, 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-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within an hour if you make your application within quality company timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer the decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you apply at normal business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements for determining what is the well-being that is your business and the amount of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine your well-being of the business and the level of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and offer you with a tailored offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the business is in operation and what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful company credit experts. They’ll provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner utilises an asset that they own to secure the loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security before you are able to access the money However, we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.