FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Aotea Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Aotea Small Business Loans
Aotea unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company use, including cash flow management, business remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Aotea Business Loans
What is the Larger Aotea Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to 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 to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be used for?
A larger business loan can be used for almost every company need, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets, and could be registered in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may have different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application at quality business times and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to provide the decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal company hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application within normal business times and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide an answer in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors to determine the health of the company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health that is your company and the extent of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for the company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the company has been operating, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall well-being or financial standing of the company.
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, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off 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 lending experts. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing the ways we gather, use, exchange and secure your information, is crucial and a vital part 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 and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated banking verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner makes use of assets they own to get a loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.