FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Schofields Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Schofields Small Business Loans
Schofields unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Schofields Business Loans
What is the Larger Schofields Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost all business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. It is possible to get this done without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company 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 worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you apply in quality company time and let us utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in as little as the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour – provided you apply during standard business hours and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 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 upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of variables that determine what is the health of the business as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements to assess your health of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know the exact amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business loans experts. The professionals will offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner utilises assets they own to get a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an company asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.