FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Schofields Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Schofields Small Business Loans
Schofields unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Schofields Business Loans
What is the Larger Schofields Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger company loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registering this on the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We might be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
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)
- must show at least six months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details 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 twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application during standard company times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you apply during normal business timings and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of variables in order to assess what is the well-being of the business and the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business as well as the amount of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for one of our business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment the company and provide an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, how long the business has been in operation as well as in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. 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 with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful business credit specialists. They’ll provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner utilises an asset that they own to secure a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required upfront to access the money, however we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.