FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the St Georges Small Business Loans
Tell me about the St Georges Small Business Loans
St Georges unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including control of cash flow company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger St Georges Business Loans
What is the Larger St Georges 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 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost all business use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge on assets, which could also include registration on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be subject to different terms.
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 at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a 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 simple and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during quality company time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application in normal business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine your health of the company and the extent of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to determine your health for your company as well as the amount of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, how long the business has been running, how long the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company lending experts. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner makes use of an asset that they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.