FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The St Albans Small Business Loans
Tell me about the St Albans Small Business Loans
St Albans unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees 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 virtually any company use, including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger St Albans Business Loans
What is the Larger St Albans Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used to fund almost all company need, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, and could be registered in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250K or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be on different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for 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 easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you make your application in quality company times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements , it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you submit your request within standard business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in 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 upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements for determining the health for your business as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics for your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to determine the health for your business and the level of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide an individualised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the company is in, how long the business has been running and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
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 loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly business loan professionals. They’ll offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.