FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Ardmore Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Ardmore Small Business Loans
Ardmore unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Ardmore Business Loans
What is the Larger Ardmore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost every business need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge over assets, which could also include registration in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request in standard business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer within an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request at normal business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements that determine your health for your company and the extent of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine your well-being for your company as well as the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, the long the company has been running and whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and at what time, from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you 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 can choose to repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business loan experts. They will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner uses the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required before you are able to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of an asset charge.