FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Seatoun Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Seatoun Small Business Loans
Seatoun unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company reason, such as cash flow management, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About Larger Seatoun Business Loans
What is the Larger Seatoun Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all company purpose including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge against assets, and may include registration in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business the borrower fails to pay back 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 granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial health questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could be on different terms.
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 business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for 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.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application during standard company hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision in as little as one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply within normal business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess your well-being of the business as well as the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your business.
If you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of aspects to determine the well-being that is your company as well as the amount of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the company has been in operation, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent 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 do decide to do this please speak to our friendly business loans professionals. They will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial 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 sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online so we can offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner uses assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security for an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as stipulated in the loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans over $150K generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.