FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Semaphore South unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Semaphore South Business Loans
What is the Larger Semaphore South Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost any business purpose including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, and could include registration on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document filed to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan that is greater than $250,000 it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could be based on different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application during quality business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision 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 within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you send us the copies of bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within one hour if you submit your request during standard business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision in just one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess what is the health that is your company and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as health that is your business and the extent of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request the business loans, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business operates in, how long the business has been operating as well as whether the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and general well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit specialists. They’ll offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or an company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Do I require security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.