FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lower Portland Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Lower Portland Small Business Loans
Lower Portland unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including cash flow management, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Lower Portland Business Loans
What is the Larger Lower Portland Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be 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 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any company use, including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets, which could also be registered in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We could be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application in standard company times and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within just the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within standard business time and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you send us the copies of bank statements, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of variables that determine your health for your business and the level of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the company.
When you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine the well-being of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
If you decide to request one of our company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company is in, how long the business has been running, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business lending professionals. The professionals will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner makes use of the assets they have to get the funding. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access However, we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.