FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business reason, such as the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost all company purpose including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets and can include registering this on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details 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, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer within one hour if you apply within standard company times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to offer the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request at normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements, 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 certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors in order to assess your health of your business and the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the business and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request the business loans, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the business has been operating for, whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company lending professionals. The experts will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information 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 utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to secure an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as stipulated in your 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 a personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.