FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Whitford Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Whitford Small Business Loans
Whitford unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an instant response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Whitford Business Loans
What is the Larger Whitford Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including company renovations, purchase of 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 a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually by way of charge on assets, and could include registration with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour, provided you make your application within standard company time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request during standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you send us the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine how much we can lend you well-being of your company and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the extent of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been running, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business loans experts. They’ll offer you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather, use, exchange and secure your information, is of huge importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner utilises an asset they own to get the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
What do I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we do need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as specified in the loan contract), asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you are able to get a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.