FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Otara Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Otara Small Business Loans
Otara unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business reason, such as the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Otara Business Loans
What is the Larger Otara Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan can be used for almost all company purpose including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets, and could be registered with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
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 over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$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: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you make your application during standard company time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide a response in one hour – provided you submit your request at standard business hours and you allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take 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 the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of variables that determine your well-being for your company and the extent of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to determine your well-being that is your company and the extent of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you request our company loan, we will assess the risk profile of your business and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the business has been running as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company lending specialists. The professionals will offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow general, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner makes use of an asset they own to secure the loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or an business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required before you are able to access the money However, we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.