FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Waterloo Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Waterloo Small Business Loans
Waterloo unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including control of cash flow company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Waterloo Business Loans
What is the Larger Waterloo Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. The applicant must also 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger company loan can be used for nearly all company reason, such as business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer a response in one hour if you apply in standard company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within one hour – provided you apply during normal business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we look at a variety of elements that determine what is the health of the company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to assess the well-being of the company as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request one of our business loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment the company and offer an individualised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the business has been running for, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company lending specialists. They will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner borrows from the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access but we do require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.