FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Smithfield Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Smithfield Small Business Loans
Smithfield unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company need, such as cash flow management, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Smithfield Business Loans
What is the Larger Smithfield Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over 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 determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and may include registration through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you apply within quality company time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements , it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within an hour – provided you submit your request in normal business time and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of elements to determine your well-being that is your business and the level of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess the health of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you request the company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, how long the business has been running, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loans professionals. They’ll provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner utilises an asset that they own to make the loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds however, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.