FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lonsdale Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Lonsdale Small Business Loans
Lonsdale unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company purpose including cash flow management, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Lonsdale Business Loans
What is the Larger Lonsdale Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by way of charge against assets, and may be registered through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could be on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an 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)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request within standard company time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in standard business time and let us use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables for determining how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics for your business.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for our company loans, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide an individualised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit specialists. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is of huge importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner utilises assets they own to get a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Should I require security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.