FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Semaphore Small Business Loans
Semaphore unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a cash-based loan which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company use, including cash flow management, company renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Semaphore Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business reason, such as business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We may be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
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 at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request within standard company time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to offer an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during normal business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide the decision in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the sophisticated bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements that determine your health of the business and the level of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your company.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for the company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the company operates in, how long the company has been operating for, whether the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business lending experts. They’ll provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is vital and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide rapid 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 get a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a company asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lenders, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Do I require security for a company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans over $150K generally there is personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.