FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Whenuapai Small Business Loans
Let me know 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 between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is a cash-based loan which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Whenuapai Business Loans
What is the Larger Whenuapai Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly every business need, including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge on assets, which could also be registered with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may 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 a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business 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)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, 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: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply during standard company time and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal company hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply within standard business timings and you allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors for determining what is the health of your business and the amount of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess your well-being for your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you request our business financing, we’ll 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 company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is in, how long the company has been operating as well as in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost 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 loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company loan experts. The professionals will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is vital and an integral part of our relationship with 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 the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner utilises assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, not just the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I require security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.