FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Stepney Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Stepney Small Business Loans
Stepney 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 makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is possible to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Stepney Business Loans
What is the Larger Stepney Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own 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 larger company loan is a great option for almost all company purpose including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets and can include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for an company 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)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be in a position to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you make your application within standard business times and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of elements for determining the well-being for your company and the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess your well-being that is your business and the extent of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the business has been operating for, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and at what time, from the first day. 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 with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company credit specialists. We will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure 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 financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner uses assets they own to secure the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.