FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Semaphore South unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. This company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Semaphore South Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore South Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your business needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business purpose including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets and can include registration on the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application 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 identification details (valid Driver’s License) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply within standard company timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision within 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business hours and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements in order to assess your well-being of your business and the amount of repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your company and the extent of repayments your business can 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 company loan?
If you decide to request our business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a tailored offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company is operating in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business loans professionals. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner makes use of an asset they own to get the funding. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or an business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get a business loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.