FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business use, including the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (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 nearly any business need, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets, which could also be registered with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general 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 the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 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 IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application within standard company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision in as little as one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within an hour – provided you make your application within standard business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to offer a decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a variety of factors in order to assess the well-being of your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being that is your business and the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to request our company financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment the business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been running and whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you 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 in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful company lending experts. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and secure your information, is vital and is a crucial 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 information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner makes use of the assets they have to secure the loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money however, we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.