FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large business loan can be used for nearly every company use, including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by taking a charge against assets, and may be registered on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document filed to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (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 or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request at standard company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer in just the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide a response in one hour – provided you submit your request in standard business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide the decision in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors for determining your well-being of your business and the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company credit, we will assess the risk profile for your company and provide you with a tailored offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the company is in operation and how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful business lending specialists. The experts will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business 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 huge importance and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. 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 to instantly confirm your bank account information online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner uses the assets they have to secure the funds for a loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.