FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Westmead Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Westmead Small Business Loans
Westmead unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company reason, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Westmead Business Loans
What is the Larger Westmead Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
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?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge over assets, and may include registering this on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without a credit verification and within six 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. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will call you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during quality company times and let us utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within just 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard company hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application in normal business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of factors that determine the well-being of the company and the extent of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of variables to assess your health for your business and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for the business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating and in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us 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 early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful company lending experts. We will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner makes use of an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or an business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.