FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Waiwhetu Small Business Loans
Waiwhetu unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and 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 are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for 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 have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets and can include registering this in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. 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 License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request at quality business timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer a decision within 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request during normal business timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors for determining what is the health that is your company and the amount of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine the well-being of your company and the level of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you request one of our business credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the company has been operating for, whether the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loans specialists. They’ll offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance 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 protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner borrows from assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K generally, there is a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.