FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the St Georges Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the St Georges Small Business Loans
St Georges unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business need, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger St Georges Business Loans
What is the Larger St Georges Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the business needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all company use, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge over assets, and could include the registration of this in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
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 company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request at quality business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide a decision in as little as 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request at normal business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be in a position to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of factors for determining your health for your company and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine your well-being for your company and the amount of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to request one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges or interest.
What determines the amount I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the business is in operation and how long the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please speak to our friendly company loans professionals. They’ll offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is crucial and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and 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 that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner uses an asset they own to make the funding. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money, however we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as specified in the loan contract), asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, you can get a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.