FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Alicetown Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Alicetown Small Business Loans
Alicetown unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Alicetown Business Loans
What is the Larger Alicetown Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business 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, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the business needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every company need, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge over assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business 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 that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might 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 a few financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application at standard business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you send us documents from your account statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in standard business times and you allow us to make use of 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’ll be able to provide a decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you upload copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being that is your business and the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess your well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know the exact amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for, the industry the company is operating in, how long the company is in operation and in the event that the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful business lending specialists. The professionals will offer you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do 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 deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and a vital 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 sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner utilises assets they own to get a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.