FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the South Wharf Small Business Loans
Let me know about the South Wharf Small Business Loans
South Wharf unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
The application for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About Larger South Wharf Business Loans
What is the Larger South Wharf Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all business use, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge over assets and can include registration in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for for the 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. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application within standard 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 statements , we are able to offer a decision within just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you apply within standard business time and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer an answer in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables that determine what is the health that is your company and the level of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the level of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for our business loans, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know the exact amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the company has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
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 covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit specialists. The experts will provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of assets they own to secure the loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access, however we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150K generally, you are able to get the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.