FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Bittern Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business need, such as the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. Your business must belong to 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 demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets, which could also include registering this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will call you to assist you.
For a loan of 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.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application in standard company time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within just 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide a response in one hour, provided you submit your request within standard business hours and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you health that is your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your company.
If you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine your well-being that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a business loan?
When you request business loans with us company loans, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is operating in, how long the company is in operation and whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required 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 punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with 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 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company lending specialists. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner utilises an asset they own to get the funding. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is a personal ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.