FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Birkenhead Small Business Loans
Birkenhead unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company purpose including managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Birkenhead Business Loans
What is the Larger Birkenhead Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, 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 in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost any company reason, such as company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment 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 required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets and can include registration with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able 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 that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour, provided you apply in quality business times and let us 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 can offer a decision within just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply during normal business time and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we will be able to provide a decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements for determining the health of the company and the level of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine the well-being that is your business and the level of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
When you make an application for one of our company financing, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the business is in operation as well as in the event that the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need 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 don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit professionals. They’ll offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we do need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.