FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Riverstone Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Riverstone Small Business Loans
Riverstone unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is a cash-based loan which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company reason, such as the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Riverstone Business Loans
What is the Larger Riverstone Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every business need, including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge against assets and can include registration in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally responsible if the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We could be able to do this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
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 at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide a response in one hour, provided you make your application within standard business time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer within an hour if you apply at normal business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors to determine the health of the business and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of variables to assess your well-being that is your company and the amount of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to request the company credit, we will assess the risk profile for your business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the business is operating in, how long the company has been operating, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company credit professionals. We will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information 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 to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner uses assets they own to get the loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required upfront to access the money, however we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.