FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Otara Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Otara Small Business Loans
Otara unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down 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 purpose including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Otara Business Loans
What is the Larger Otara Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger business loan can be used for almost all business purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge against assets, and may include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
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, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company loan specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply in quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer an answer within just an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in just one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 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 send us copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables for determining what is the health of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine the well-being for your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is in, how long the business is in operation as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from the day you sign up. 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 without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business lending professionals. They will offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner makes use of assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.