FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Freshwater Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Freshwater Small Business Loans
Freshwater unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business use, including cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Freshwater Business Loans
What is the Larger Freshwater Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger company loan is a great option for almost all company use, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets and can include registration through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible 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 transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business lending specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you apply at standard company timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide a response in one hour – provided you submit your request during standard business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of factors to determine the well-being that is your company and the amount of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company as well as the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit experts. The professionals will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and a vital part 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 sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner makes use of the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you can get an individual guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.