FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
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 ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company reason, such as the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger St Ives Business Loans
What is the Larger St Ives Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost any business use, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge against assets, and may include the registration of this in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We might be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business 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)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply within standard business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once 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 on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply at normal business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects in order to assess the well-being of your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we look at a range of variables to determine your well-being of the business and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company financing, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for, the industry the business operates in, how long the company has been in operation, how long the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to do this please call our helpful company loans professionals. The specialists will provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect 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 use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner makes use of assets they own to get the funding. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home or a business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access however, we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, there is an individual ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.