FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Cottles Bridge Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Cottles Bridge Small Business Loans
Cottles Bridge unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. We offer a company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including cash flow management, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Cottles Bridge Business Loans
What is the Larger Cottles Bridge Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all company need, including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, and may include registration on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer in just one hour, provided you apply during quality business times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer within just an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you make your application within standard business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables for determining how much we can lend you health of the company and the level of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a tailored offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for, the industry the company is in, how long the company has been in operation for, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the general health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company loans specialists. They’ll provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid 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 the assets they have to get the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to get a company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans no asset security is required 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 stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.