FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Schofields Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Schofields Small Business Loans
Schofields unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company purpose including cash flow management, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Schofields Business Loans
What is the Larger Schofields 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 the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan can be used for almost all company purpose including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This is by taking a charge over assets, which could also include registration with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, 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 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in standard company hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request during standard business times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you health that is your business and the extent of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of variables to determine the well-being of your company and the level of the repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and provide you with a customised offer including loan amount, term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the business has been in operation for, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business loan specialists. We will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is vital and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses an asset they own to obtain the funding. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.