FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of 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 which can be made daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% 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 in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business reason, such as company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s by taking a charge over assets and can include registering this with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $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 expert in lending will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within one hour if you submit your request at quality company hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you upload copies of your bank statements , it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, 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 particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine your well-being that is your company and the amount of payments 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 certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your business and the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request the company financing, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, how long the business has been operating and in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated 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 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company credit professionals. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is vital and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, including the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required before you are able to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.