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 can avail the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Sassafras unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business use, including control of cash flow business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
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 growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are 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 which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost all business reason, such as company remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may be based on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a business 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 trade (for a 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 simple and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company credit specialist will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with 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 also require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application in standard company time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer an answer within just an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within one hour if you make your application during normal business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in 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 can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you upload copies of your 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 make an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you well-being for your company as well as the amount of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine your health for your company and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for our company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and provide an individualised offer, including 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 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?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the company is operating in, how long the business is in operation, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. 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 apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business loans specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow general, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner borrows from assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.