FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Sydenham Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Sydenham Small Business Loans
Sydenham unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business use, including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Sydenham Business Loans
What is the Larger Sydenham Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets, and may be registered through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal 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 requesting an enterprise loan of $250K or more it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We might be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could be based on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within an hour – as long as you apply in quality company times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply in standard business time and permit us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of variables that determine the health that is your business and the extent of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the extent of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request the business loans, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide an individualised offer that includes loan amount, term and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been operating for, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company lending experts. The experts will provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner utilises an asset that they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, your assets could 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.
Do I need security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.