FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Bittern Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an instant response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all company need, including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge over assets, and could be registered on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application during standard company hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements , it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application during standard business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the 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. Some offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine your health that is your company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to determine your health of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
When you request business loans with us business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the company is in operation, whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, starting from day one. 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 get a cash loan with without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated 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% of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan experts. They will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner utilises assets they own to get the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, you are able to get personal guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.