FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Sassafras Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Sassafras unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business need, such as managing cash flows, company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Sassafras Business Loans
What is the Larger Sassafras Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges 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 is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all business need, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for 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. Complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour, provided you apply in quality company time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour if you apply at normal business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine the well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company loans, we will assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the company is in operation, how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out 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 decide to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please call our helpful business loans specialists. They’ll offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online 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 that they own to secure the loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I need security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required before you can access the money however, we do require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.