FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Thornleight Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Thornleight Small Business Loans
Thornleight unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including control of cash flow company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Thornleight Business Loans
What is the Larger Thornleight Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost every company use, including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as 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 necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, and may be registered on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 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 process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply in standard company hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer within the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application within standard business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements that determine the health that is your business as well as the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being that is your business and the level of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business lending professionals. They’ll offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner makes use of assets they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security for a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required before you can access the money However, we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is an individual guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.