FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Aotea Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Aotea Small Business Loans
Aotea unsecured loans provides amounts 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.
How is 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. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger Aotea Business Loans
What is the Larger Aotea Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly any business use, including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, which could also include registration in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The 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 at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you submit your request at standard company timings and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within one hour – provided you apply at normal business timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you health of the business and the extent of payments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine the health of the company and the level of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
When you make an application for the company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and offer an individualised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the business is in operation as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t 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 the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay 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 repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company loan experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner utilises an asset they own to get the funding. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required before you can access the money however, we do need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.