FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business use, including control of cash flow company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan can be used for almost any company use, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by way of charge on assets, which could also include registering this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 it is possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may have different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you make your application within standard company timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer a response in one hour – provided you apply during standard business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of elements that determine your well-being of the company and the extent of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for the business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will 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 business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
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. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you do decide to do this please contact our helpful business loan experts. The specialists will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow general, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral 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 financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner uses assets they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access However, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, you are able to get a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.