FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Waterloo Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Waterloo Small Business Loans
Waterloo unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Waterloo Business Loans
What is the Larger Waterloo Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every company use, including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, and could be registered on the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
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 grants preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger company loans that exceeds $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an 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 prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request at quality business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of aspects for determining your well-being of your business and the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess the health that is your company and the amount of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business credit, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business operates in, how long the business is in operation, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company lending professionals. They will offer you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner borrows from the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.