FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Westmeadows Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Westmeadows Small Business Loans
Westmeadows unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business purpose including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Westmeadows Business Loans
What is the Larger Westmeadows Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, which could also include registering this on the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that exceeds $250K, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (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 in just a few minutes, and an experienced business credit specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in quality business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision within just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during standard business time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine your well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess your health that is your company and the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and provide an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company operates in, how long the company has been operating as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business loan experts. They’ll offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as 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 provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being transparent about the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner uses assets they own to secure the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or an company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security for an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money however, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form an asset charge.