FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including control of cash flow business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage 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 have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. 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 to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost any company need, including company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify 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 based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you receive could be on different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own 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 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, 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 you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request in standard company timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you apply at normal business hours and allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer the decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements for determining how much we can lend you well-being for your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of variables to assess the well-being of the business and the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for the business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the company is in, how long the company has been running as well as whether the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and general health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company loans experts. They will offer you with repayment details and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and secure your information, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner uses assets they own to get the funding. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stated in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally there is personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.