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 between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company use, including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Schofields Business Loans
What is the Larger Schofields Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost any business purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. This is by way of charge against assets, which could also include registering this in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. It is possible to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $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 of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to 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 or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request during quality company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision in just one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – provided you make your application during normal business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide an answer within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables in order to assess your health for your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your company and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you make an application for one of our business loans, we will assess the risk profile for your company and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation and in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful business loan experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and an integral aspect 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 secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of assets they own to get the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans over $150K generally there is personal ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.