FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Westmere Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Westmere Small Business Loans
Westmere unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as control of cash flow company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Westmere Business Loans
What is the Larger Westmere 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 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge over assets, and could include registering this on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250K or more, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial well-being questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$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 for application including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request during quality company timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application during standard business timings and permit us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of factors that determine what is the health that is your business and the extent of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the extent of payments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
When you make an application for our business loan, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been operating and whether the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please call our helpful company loan professionals. The professionals will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and 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 use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details 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 a business owner utilises the assets they have to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I need security for a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as specified in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.