FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Meadowbank Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Meadowbank Small Business Loans
Meadowbank unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an instant response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as cash flow management, business renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Meadowbank Business Loans
What is the Larger Meadowbank Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large business loan is a great option for almost every company need, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets and can be registered with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan that exceeds $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could have different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an 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 a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer a response in one hour if you submit your request in quality business hours and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request during normal business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer an answer in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors for determining your health of the company and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine the well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for the company loan, we will assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a customised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is in, how long the business has been running and how long the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
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 decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please contact our helpful business lending experts. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a business owner borrows from an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lending institutions, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Should I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally there is an individual guarantee and security in the form an asset charge.