FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Officer Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Officer Small Business Loans
Officer unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company use, including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Officer Business Loans
What is the Larger Officer Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly any business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by taking a charge on assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application within standard company times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply during normal business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a variety of aspects for determining the well-being for your business and the extent of payments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine the health of your company and the level of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a customised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know the exact amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, how long the business has been in operation as well as what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company loan professionals. The professionals will offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner makes use of an asset they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a company property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.