FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The South Bank Small Business Loans
Let me know about the South Bank Small Business Loans
South Bank 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 daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business use, including the management 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 use.
About the Larger South Bank Business Loans
What is the Larger South Bank Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all company purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets, and could include registration in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing 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 reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans of more than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may be based on different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an 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’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply during standard business time and let us use 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 the decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of variables in order to assess the well-being that is your company and the level of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine the health for your business and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request one of our company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and provide you with a tailored offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is in, how long the business is in operation for, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business lending experts. The professionals will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
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 designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and a vital element 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 information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner utilises an asset they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is means of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access however, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is an individual guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.