FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Somerville Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an instant response and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down 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 almost every company purpose including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost all business use, including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and 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 in the form of a charge over assets, which could also be registered in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. It is possible to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (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 few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will call you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application in standard company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business time and you allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide a decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of the company and the level of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
If you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health that is your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been running and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no extra 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 any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business lending specialists. They’ll offer you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from an asset that they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.