FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Semaphore Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Semaphore Small Business Loans
Semaphore unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Semaphore Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost any company purpose including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registering this in the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer the legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250,000 or more we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (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. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, 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 loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request in quality company times and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request at normal business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve 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 specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine the health for your company and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the business and the extent of payments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for our company financing, we will assess the risk profile for your company and provide you with a customised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been operating for, how long the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business loan experts. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner borrows from assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or an business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we do require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, you can get an individual guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.