FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost every business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets, and may include the registration of this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for 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 simple and simple. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will be in touch to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request at quality business time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request within normal business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of factors that determine your well-being of your business and the extent of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine the well-being for your company and the level of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you make an application for one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the company operates in, the long the company has been operating as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the overall well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business loans professionals. We will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is vital and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques 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 utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner borrows from an asset that they own to get the loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or a company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money However, we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.