FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans offers amounts 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 is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company purpose including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
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 improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge against assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible 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 prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you apply at standard company times and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application during normal business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors to determine how much we can lend you well-being of the business and the level of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine your well-being of the business as well as the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is operating in, how long the company has been in operation for, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful company loan professionals. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner uses the assets they have to get a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or a company property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to secure 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 means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money However, we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.