FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Semaphore South Small Business Loans
Semaphore South unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
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 company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all business need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge on assets, which could also be registered with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply 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 business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request at standard company timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer in as little as the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour – provided you make your application at normal business time and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of variables that determine your health of the business and the level of payments your business 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 set amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess the well-being for your company and the level of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request one of our company credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the business is in operation and whether the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit professionals. They will offer you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner makes use of an asset that they own to secure the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.