FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Sassafras unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company need, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Sassafras Business Loans
What is the Larger Sassafras Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funds be used for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost any business purpose including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer in just one hour if you apply during standard company times and you 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’ll be able to provide an answer within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within normal business hours and allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements it can 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 to determine your health of the business and the amount of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health of your company and the level of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you make an application for the business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating for, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company credit specialists. We will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and being upfront about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner utilises an asset that they own to get the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of the lenders including the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security before you are able to access the money However, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.