FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Bittern Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the business needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge on assets, and could include registration in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans of $250K or more we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for 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 few minutes and an experienced company loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request within quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide the decision in as little as the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective 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 decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour – provided you make your application within normal business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of factors that determine your health that is your business and the amount of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
When you make an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess the health that is your business and the level of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, how long the company has been in operation as well as whether the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay and when, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly business loans specialists. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner borrows from assets they own to make the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of the lenders including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.