FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Totara Park Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Totara Park Small Business Loans
Totara Park unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About the Larger Totara Park Business Loans
What is the Larger Totara Park Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any business use, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application during standard company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After 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 on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer a response in one hour – provided you apply in standard business timings and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide an answer within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of elements that determine what is the well-being of your business and the extent of the repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your company.
If you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine your health for your business and the level of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for our company financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, how long the business has been running and in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company loan specialists. The professionals will provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
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 withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial part 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 financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner utilises an asset they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to get an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (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 are able to get a personal guarantee and security in the form of charges on assets.