FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Northbridge Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Northbridge Small Business Loans
Northbridge unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About the Larger Northbridge Business Loans
What is the Larger Northbridge Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The 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 be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost any company purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge on assets, and could be registered in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. It is possible to do this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for a 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. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply in quality business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision within just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within an hour if you make your application at normal business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess what is the well-being for your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being that is your company as well as the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and offer an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the company is in operation as well as in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful company lending professionals. They will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner makes use of the assets they have to secure a loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money However, we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is an individual ensure and security in the form a charge over assets.