FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. 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 demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all business use, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory for 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 needed for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by way of charge against assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you may receive may be based 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 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request within standard business timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request during standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved 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 advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of aspects in order to assess the health of the company and the level of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess your health of your company and the extent of the repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company financing, we will assess the risk profile for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the company has been in operation for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you decide to take this route, please call our helpful company loans professionals. We will offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is vital and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner makes use of an asset that they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need an individual ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.