FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Waterways Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Waterways Small Business Loans
Waterways unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Waterways Business Loans
What is the Larger Waterways Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business use, including business 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 necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge against assets and can include registering this with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company 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)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour, provided you submit your request within quality company time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within an hour – provided you apply during standard business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest 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 instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects in order to assess the health that is your company and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine the health of the company and the extent of the repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you request the business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been operating as well as in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and when, from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful company credit professionals. We will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner makes use of an asset they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security for a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.