FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore Park Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Semaphore Park Small Business Loans
Semaphore Park unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Concerning Larger Semaphore Park Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Park Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly any business need, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets and can include the registration of this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health checks. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply in standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you apply at standard business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of elements that determine how much we can lend you health of the business and the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine the health of your business and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our business loan, we will assess the risk profile the business and offer an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the business has been operating for, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business credit experts. They’ll offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of the assets they have to get a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stipulated in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.