FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Officer South Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Officer South Small Business Loans
Officer South unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including control of cash flow company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Officer South Business Loans
What is the Larger Officer South Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also 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.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost all company use, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails 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 items or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application at standard business times and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in just 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you’ve 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. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements , it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables for determining how much we can lend you well-being that is your company as well as the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a range of variables to determine your health of the business and the extent of payments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company credit, we will assess the risk profile for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is operating in, how long the business has been in operation, whether the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no extra 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 no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you choose to do this please contact our helpful company credit professionals. The specialists will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the date of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money, however we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.