FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Seaforth Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Seaforth Small Business Loans
Seaforth unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive a same day response and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company need, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Seaforth Business Loans
What is the Larger Seaforth Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost every company purpose including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal form of document to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
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 business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as 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 requirements, including credit approval, 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 bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide a response in one hour, provided you make your application at quality company time and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision in just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within one hour – provided you make your application at normal business times and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for 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 quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of factors that determine the health for your business and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of your business and the level of payments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loans, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company is in, how long the company is in operation, how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit experts. They will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner utilises the assets they have to secure the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of an asset charge.