FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Aotea Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Aotea Small Business Loans
Aotea unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company reason, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Aotea Business Loans
What is the Larger Aotea Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan is a great option for almost any company use, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced company loan specialist will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application at quality company hours and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request in normal business hours and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of elements in order to assess your health for your business and the extent of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of variables to assess your health that is your business and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loans, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for, the industry the company is in, how long the business has been in operation for, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing 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 early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company credit experts. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow general, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect 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 make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required upfront to access the money, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need an individual ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.