FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Northcote Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Northcote Small Business Loans
Northcote unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business need, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Northcote Business Loans
What is the Larger Northcote Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan is a great option for almost every business need, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registering this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application in standard business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you make your application during standard business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced 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 an answer in just one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in 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 particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of your company and the level of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being that is your company and the extent of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
When you request our company loans, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay, and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit experts. They’ll provide you with the details of your 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 in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner uses the assets they have to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of banks, not just the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing by using the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to get an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.