FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Seaforth Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of 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 that are either per day or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive 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 as well as other fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business need, such as the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
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 are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. 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 prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all company need, including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by way of charge on assets and can include registration on the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. 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 terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during standard company times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision in as little as one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour, provided you apply within normal business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking 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. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements in order to assess the health that is your company and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess the well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to request the business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the company has been operating for, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay, and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please call our helpful company loan experts. We will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and an integral 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 secure your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner borrows from assets they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or an company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.