FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The West Lakes Small Business Loans
Let me know more about West Lakes Small Business Loans
West Lakes unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company use, including control of cash flow company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger West Lakes Business Loans
What is the Larger West Lakes Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. It is necessary to be 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 of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost every business purpose including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger company loans of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could be on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for an 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 business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply in quality company time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide the decision within just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you make your application within standard business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of aspects to determine how much we can lend you health that is your business and the extent of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your company.
When you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business as well as the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you request one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, how long the business has been running and how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay, and when, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out 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 in advance?
You can decide to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business lending specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner utilises the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by using the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal ensure and security in the form charges on assets.