FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Birkdale Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Birkdale Small Business Loans
Birkdale unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business purpose including the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Birkdale Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkdale Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
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 qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large company loan can be used for almost all business need, including company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge against assets and can be registered on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans of more than $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a company 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request within quality company hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision within just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer a response in one hour, provided you apply at normal business hours and allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine the well-being for your business and the extent of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess the well-being that is your company and the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request the business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide an individualised offer that includes loan amount, term and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for and the sector the business is operating in, how long the company has been running as well as whether the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved 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 loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company loans specialists. They will offer you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner borrows from assets they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I require security to secure an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stipulated in the loan contract), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.