FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Berwick Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Berwick Small Business Loans
Berwick unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business purpose including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Berwick Business Loans
What is the Larger Berwick Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The 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?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for almost all business need, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets and can include registration through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will 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 evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could have different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour if you apply within quality company times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour if you apply during normal business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After 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. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank 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 make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables that determine how much we can lend you health that is your company as well as the amount of payments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
If you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the health of your company and the level of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk assessment the company and offer an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for and the sector the business operates in, how long the business has been in operation and in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit professionals. They will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner utilises assets 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 like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, even the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we do need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.