FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Castlecrag Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Castlecrag Small Business Loans
Castlecrag unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Castlecrag Business Loans
What is the Larger Castlecrag Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all company need, including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge on assets, which could also include registering this in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to make the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could have different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the 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. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced business expert in lending will call you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply during standard business timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision within just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply at normal business timings 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 can offer an answer in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors that determine the health of the business as well as the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics of your business.
When you submit an application for a specific 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 repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you request the business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your company and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business is in, how long the company has been operating for, in the event that the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please call our helpful business lending specialists. They will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. 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 remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear the ways we gather, use, exchange and secure your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner uses the assets they have to make the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new funding using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money However, we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally there is an individual ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.