FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost any business purpose including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer in just one hour if you make your application during standard business times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your 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. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application during normal business times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining what is the health of your business as well as the amount of payments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess the health of the business and the extent of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request our company credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been operating as well as in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please call our helpful business lending specialists. They’ll provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is crucial 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 techniques to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial 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 instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure the funding. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security for a company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, you can get a personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.