FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Seaholm Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Seaholm Small Business Loans
Seaholm unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About the Larger Seaholm Business Loans
What is the Larger Seaholm Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated 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, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost all business use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply during quality business timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of 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 can usually provide a response in one hour, provided you submit your request within standard business times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine the health of your company and the level of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the level of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a tailored offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been running, in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and general well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up 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 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company credit experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner uses assets they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I require security for a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stipulated in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.