FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Seaforth Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Seaforth Small Business Loans
Seaforth unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply for this 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 company loans are based on an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, 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?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Seaforth Business Loans
What is the Larger Seaforth Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly any company purpose including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets, and may include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you apply during standard company timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we’ll be able to provide the decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 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 on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application within normal business times and 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 the decision within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statement, it will take a little 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 take into consideration a range of elements to determine what is the well-being of the business and the level of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors to assess your well-being that is your business and the level of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you request the business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the business has been operating as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please contact our helpful business loan professionals. We will offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is vital and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from an asset that 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 or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
Do I require security for an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money However, we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.