FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Otara Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Otara Small Business Loans
Otara unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
Apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including managing cash flows, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About Larger Otara Business Loans
What is the Larger Otara 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 up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated 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 have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge against assets, which could also be registered through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial well-being questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a 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)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you apply within quality business hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you submit your request at standard business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess your well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine your well-being of your business and the extent of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what you need to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company credit specialists. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure 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 use industry recognised encryption standards to secure 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 that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner borrows from an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, not just the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access however, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.