FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The West Lakes Small Business Loans
Let me know more about West Lakes Small Business Loans
West Lakes unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger West Lakes Business Loans
What is the Larger West Lakes Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last 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, determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company use, including business remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by way of charge against assets, which could also include registration with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register 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 grants preference over private property assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the legal claim against 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 can offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request in standard company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to provide a decision in just the span of one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide a response in one hour, provided you apply within standard business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide an answer in as little as one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors for determining the health of your business and the amount of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the well-being that is your company as well as the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business loans, we will assess the risk profile the company and offer an individualised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, how long the business is in operation and how long the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what you be required to pay, and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee 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 your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company credit specialists. They will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or a company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required before you are able to access the money but we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.