FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The St Leonards Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the St Leonards Small Business Loans
St Leonards unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger St Leonards Business Loans
What is the Larger St Leonards Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost all company purpose including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by way of charge over assets, which could also include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within one hour if you make your application at quality company hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour – provided you apply at normal business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer an answer in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of factors for determining the health for your business and the extent of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to request one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a tailored proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, how long the business has been running for, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business lending specialists. The professionals will offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial element 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 secure your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner borrows from an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.