FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Somerton Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Somerton Small Business Loans
Somerton unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business need, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Somerton Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerton Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. 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 to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every company use, including company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by way of charge against assets, and could include registering this in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally based rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to repay 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 that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger business loans that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced business credit specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within standard company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide a response in one hour – provided you make your application at normal business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you health that is your business and the level of repayments that your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of the company and the level of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for our business loan, 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 the interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating and how long the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business credit specialists. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner makes use of assets they own to secure the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.