FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Point Leo Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Point Leo Small Business Loans
Point Leo unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Point Leo Business Loans
What is the Larger Point Leo Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined 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 the business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an 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 reports.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide a response in one hour, provided you make your application at quality company times and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply in standard business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of aspects that determine your health for your business and the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to assess the well-being for your business and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company operates in, how long the business is in operation, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company loan professionals. We will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is vital and is a crucial 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 personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home or a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access However, we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.