FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Northgate Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Northgate Small Business Loans
Northgate unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business need, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Northgate Business Loans
What is the Larger Northgate Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700,000. The applicant must also 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 to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business purpose including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets and can include the registration of this with the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan of more than $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour, provided you apply during quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer within one hour – as long as you apply in standard business times and permit us to use the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we will be able to offer the decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements, 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. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables for determining your well-being for your company and the amount of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess the well-being that is your business and the extent of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for our company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the business is in operation as well as in the event that the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans 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 choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please call our helpful business credit professionals. The specialists will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner borrows from an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as detailed 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, there is a personal guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.