FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Silkstone Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Silkstone Small Business Loans
Silkstone unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an instant response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business purpose including the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Silkstone Business Loans
What is the Larger Silkstone Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost all business purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge over assets, and may include the registration of this with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans that exceeds $250,000, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (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 process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 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 as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application within quality business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to offer an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide a response in one hour if you submit your request at standard business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer a decision in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, it will take a little 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 will consider a number of elements to determine the health of your business and the amount of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine your health for your business and the level of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation, in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in 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 amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business credit experts. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses an asset they own to secure the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access However, we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.