FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Seaforth Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Seaforth Small Business Loans
Seaforth unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an instant response and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Seaforth Business Loans
What is the Larger Seaforth Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost every company need, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets and can include the registration of this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. It is possible to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be on different terms.
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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request during quality business time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer a decision in just an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour – provided you apply within standard business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of factors to determine how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine the health of your business and the extent of payments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a tailored offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been in operation for, whether the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please speak to our friendly company credit professionals. We will offer you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner makes use of the assets they have to make the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access However, we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.