FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Berala Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Berala Small Business Loans
Berala unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger Berala Business Loans
What is the Larger Berala Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. The applicant must also 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every company use, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge over assets and can include registration on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business 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)
- must show at least six months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within an hour if you make your application in quality company timings and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide the decision within an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within standard business hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements for determining your well-being for your business and the level of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics for your business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine your health of the company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to request the company loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know the exact amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the company is operating in, how long the company has been in operation, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing 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 loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company credit professionals. They will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner uses an asset they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we do need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.