FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Castlecrag Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Castlecrag Small Business Loans
Castlecrag unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company use, including cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Castlecrag Business Loans
What is the Larger Castlecrag 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 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly any company need, including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge on assets, and could include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans that is greater than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (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 process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within quality company times and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you apply in normal business time and allow us to use the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide the decision in just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects to determine the health that is your company and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables to assess the well-being of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the company is in operation for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company credit specialists. The professionals will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner uses an asset they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.