FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan can be used to fund almost all company reason, such as business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory for 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 necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could be on different terms.
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 over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six 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 fast and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (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 require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request during standard company timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer a decision in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply in standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining the health of your company and the level of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to assess the well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business is in operation and in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit experts. We will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is an essential 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 secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner borrows from the assets they have to secure the loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.