FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Balaclava Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Balaclava Small Business Loans
Balaclava 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 daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company need, such as cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Balaclava Business Loans
What is the Larger Balaclava Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business purpose including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is in the form of a charge over assets, and may include the registration of this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in 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 require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request during standard business time and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within one hour if you make your application during normal business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of variables in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to determine the well-being that is your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business credit, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the business has been operating for, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please contact our helpful company loan experts. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of 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 use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner borrows from an asset that they own to make the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or a company asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, even the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is means of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Should I require security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.