FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Bittern Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company purpose including the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan is a great option for almost all business need, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We could be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could have different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for a business 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for you to qualify for 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 fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application at standard business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer the decision within just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request within standard business timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of factors to determine what is the well-being of your business and the extent of payments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business and the level of repayments that your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our company loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, the company 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 business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business loan experts. They will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of the early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather 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 make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner uses the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home or a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.