FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Northwood Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Northwood Small Business Loans
Northwood unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an instant response and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as control of cash flow business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Northwood Business Loans
What is the Larger Northwood Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost all company purpose including business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it’s possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We might be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may be on different terms.
The 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 at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company loan specialist will be in touch to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll 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 to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ 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 up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you apply in quality company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour – provided you make your application during standard business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of factors in order to assess your well-being of the business and the amount of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of aspects to assess your well-being of the business as well as the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for the business financing, we will assess the risk assessment the business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, the long the company is in operation as well as what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can decide to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please speak to our friendly company credit experts. The experts will offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide 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 an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new financing using the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.