FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Ironbank Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Ironbank Small Business Loans
Ironbank unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Ironbank Business Loans
What is the Larger Ironbank Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This 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 of this size, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and have 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 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 reason, such as business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge on assets, and could include registering this on the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can 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 demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you apply in normal business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine your well-being that is your business as well as the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the health of the business and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for one of our business loans, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised offer including loan amount, term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll know the exact amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company operates in, the long the business has been in operation for, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan 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. The only way to pay 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 off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business loans specialists. They will offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner borrows from the assets they have to get the loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access However, we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.