FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Westmere Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Westmere Small Business Loans
Westmere unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business 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 is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Westmere Business Loans
What is the Larger Westmere Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, 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 of this size the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all business purpose including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets and can include registration on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans that is greater than $250,000 it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application in quality business times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour if you make your application in standard business time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects for determining what is the well-being for your business and the extent of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine your health of the company as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the business has been running and how long the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company lending experts. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow general, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and 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 sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner utilises assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an company property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required upfront to access the money however, we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.