FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Semaphore Park Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Semaphore Park Small Business Loans
Semaphore Park unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company use, including cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Semaphore Park Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Park Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost any business use, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as 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 access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
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 over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 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 fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you apply in standard company times and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer within an hour if you apply in normal business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details 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 that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors in order to assess your health that is your company as well as the amount of payments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to determine your well-being that is your business and the extent of payments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for our company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the company has been running and how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. 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 can get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan specialists. They’ll provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is crucial and an integral 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 personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner makes use of assets they own to get the loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required before you are able to access the money However, we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you are able to get a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.