FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Riverstone Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Riverstone Small Business Loans
Riverstone unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then 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 for nearly every business use, including the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Riverstone Business Loans
What is the Larger Riverstone Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, including company remodeling, buying new 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 a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets and can be registered through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial well-being questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate 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 up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply within quality company timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within just 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer a response in one hour if you submit your request during normal business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide an answer in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve 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 offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of aspects for determining what is the well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the health for your business and the extent of the repayments your company can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and provide you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been in operation as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you need to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved 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% of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business loans specialists. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is crucial and a vital part 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 sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner makes use of assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of the lenders not just the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new funding using the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.