FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Totara Park Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Totara Park Small Business Loans
Totara Park unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as control of cash flow company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Totara Park Business Loans
What is the Larger Totara Park Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to 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 the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost all business need, including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, which could also include registering this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be on different conditions.
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 the age of 18 and have 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 to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer a response in one hour if you make your application at standard company hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer a decision in as little as the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application at standard business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine how much we can lend you well-being of the company and the extent of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess your health for your company and the level of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for our business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business is in operation and in the event that the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending experts. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner makes use of an asset they own to obtain a loan. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing using the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money however, we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.