FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including cash flow management, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About 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 business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funds be used for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly all business need, including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registration in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application within quality company times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to provide the decision in just the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you apply within normal business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the extent of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the company and the level of the repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the company operates in, how long the business is in operation and how long the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay, and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly business loans experts. They will provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and being transparent about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or a business asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get an company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access, however we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.