FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Kareela Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Kareela Small Business Loans
Kareela unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company purpose including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About larger Kareela Business Loans
What is the Larger Kareela Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $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 demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge against assets, and could be registered through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request during standard company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer an answer within 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide a response in one hour – provided you submit your request at normal business time and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account statements, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables to determine the well-being of your business and the amount of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the level of the repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for one of our business loan, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the business is in operation and whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loans experts. They’ll provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout and 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner utilises assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.