FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company use, including the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loans
What is the Larger Waiwhetu Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $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 determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for almost any company need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, which could also include registering this on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may 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)
- you must prove 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 fast and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour, provided you make your application within standard company time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload documents from your account accounts, it will take a little 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 – as long as you submit your request at standard business timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide the decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables for determining what is the well-being of the company and the extent of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess the well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you request one of our company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment the company and offer you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the business has been in operation, how long the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans 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 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 early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business credit specialists. They will offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner borrows from an asset they own to secure the loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or a company asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.