FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Semaphore Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Semaphore Small Business Loans
Semaphore unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Semaphore Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any business use, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by taking a charge over assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company 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 of trading (for for the 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 fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in quality company timings and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer the decision within just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour, provided you make your application within normal business timings and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 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 faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of elements for determining your well-being that is your business and the extent of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the company and the extent of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a tailored offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been operating as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please speak to our friendly company loan experts. The professionals will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is of paramount importance and a vital 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 sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified 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 provide a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner borrows from the assets they have to secure a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure an company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.