FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The St Ives Small Business Loans
Tell me more about St Ives Small Business Loans
St Ives unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About larger St Ives Business Loans
What is the Larger St Ives Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all business purpose including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for 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 required for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge against assets, and could include registration with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stating security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (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, plus interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard business timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in as little as the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer a response in one hour if you make your application in standard business time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer the decision within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, 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 look at a variety of aspects to determine the health of the company and the level of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to assess the health for your business as well as the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company is in operation for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being upfront about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner borrows from an asset they own to get the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or an business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, you are able to get the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.