FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Whenuapai Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Whenuapai Small Business Loans
Whenuapai unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including control of cash flow business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Whenuapai Business Loans
What is the Larger Whenuapai Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business use, including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets, and could include the registration of this on the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans that is greater than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request within quality company time and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you make your application in standard business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statement, 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 look at a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you health of the company and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine your health of your business and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and offer you with a customised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the company has been operating, in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please speak to our friendly business credit experts. We will provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner makes use of the assets they have to make a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.