FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Seaforth Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Seaforth Small Business Loans
Seaforth unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business need, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Seaforth Business Loans
What is the Larger Seaforth Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined 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 that is this large the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all company use, including company remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets and can include the registration of this with the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to offer the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that is greater than $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request in standard business times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision in just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request within standard business timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of variables in order to assess the well-being of the company and the level of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess the health for your business and the extent of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the business financing, we will assess the risk profile for your company and provide you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, the long the company has been operating for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending professionals. They will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner borrows from an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.