FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Somerton Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerton Small Business Loans
Somerton unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business use, including the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About the Larger Somerton Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerton Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any company need, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the company the borrower fails 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 registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application at quality company timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within an hour if you apply within normal business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer an answer in as little as one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us the copies of bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of variables for determining your health that is your company and the extent of repayments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to assess the health of your company and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you request business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been running and in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost 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 proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company loans specialists. We will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is crucial and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses assets they own to secure the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is means of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Should I require security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access, however we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally there is a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.