FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Merricks Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Merricks Small Business Loans
Merricks unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Merricks Business Loans
What is the Larger Merricks Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans are 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 cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly any business reason, such as company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide a response in one hour if you apply during standard company time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision in just one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, permit us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour – provided you submit your request during standard business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of elements for determining what is the health of the company and the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics the business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess the well-being for your business and the level of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us company loans, we will assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending experts. The professionals will provide you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner borrows from an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K typically, you will need an individual ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.