FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The St Leonards Small Business Loans
Let me know more about St Leonards Small Business Loans
St Leonards unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger St Leonards Business Loans
What is the Larger St Leonards Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any business need, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable 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 records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will call you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply within standard company times and permit 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 a decision within just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements , it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors in order to assess the health of your business and the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the amount of repayments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
When you make an application for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business is in, how long the company is in operation, how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please call our helpful company loans specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner borrows from assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans no asset security is required before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, there is an individual guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.