FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Thornleight Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Thornleight Small Business Loans
Thornleight unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business reason, such as cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Thornleight Business Loans
What is the Larger Thornleight Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost all company need, including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge over assets, which could also include registering this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the 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 extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could be based on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer a response in one hour if you apply during standard company hours and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six 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 particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within normal business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer in just one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements for determining what is the health for your business and the level of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company and the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to request one of our business loan, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is in, how long the business is in operation, in the event that the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay, and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please contact our helpful business credit specialists. They will offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner makes use of an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access but we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form an asset charge.