FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Athelstone Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Athelstone Small Business Loans
Athelstone unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company need, such as control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Athelstone Business Loans
What is the Larger Athelstone Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 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, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s by taking a charge over assets, and may include registration through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer 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 the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (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. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour, provided you apply within quality company time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide the decision in as little as one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the modern bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within one hour if you submit your request at standard business hours and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to provide the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of variables to determine the health of the business and the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors to assess the health for your business and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the company loans, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the company has been in operation for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business loan professionals. They will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is crucial and is an essential 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 sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify the bank account details online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or a business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of banks, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.