FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Westmead Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Westmead Small Business Loans
Westmead unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Westmead Business Loans
What is the Larger Westmead Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which 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, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for almost all company use, including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge over assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might be able to get this done without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $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: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you make your application during quality company hours and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application at standard business times and let us use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you send us the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you health that is your business and the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your 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 particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer, including loan amount, term and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, how long the business has been operating as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health or financial standing 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 day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business lending professionals. The experts will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is vital and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses assets they own to secure the funding. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.