FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Seatoun Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Seatoun Small Business Loans
Seatoun unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business use, including the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Seatoun Business Loans
What is the Larger Seatoun Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost any company use, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on assets and can include registering this in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may have different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply 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 demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request within quality company times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide a response in one hour if you apply at standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer a decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors in order to assess the health that is your business and the amount of repayments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being for your company and the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
When you apply for our business financing, we will assess the risk profile of your business and provide an individualised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the company is in operation as well as what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount 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 protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure the loan. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money however, we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract), asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.