FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Freshwater Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Freshwater Small Business Loans
Freshwater unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Freshwater Business Loans
What is the Larger Freshwater Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any company reason, such as business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets, and could include registering this on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger company loans of more than $250K, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. It is possible to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we will be able to provide an answer within 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After 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 particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer a response in one hour – provided you make your application during standard business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables that determine what is the health of your company 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 that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess the well-being of the company as well as the amount of payments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a business loan?
When you make an application for our company financing, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is operating in, how long the company has been running for, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful company lending experts. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is crucial and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner uses the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home, or an company asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, not just the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required upfront to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of an asset charge.