FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the St Lucia Small Business Loans
Tell me about the St Lucia Small Business Loans
St Lucia unsecured loans provides amounts 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 is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company reason, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About Larger St Lucia Business Loans
What is the Larger St Lucia Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all business purpose including company 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 for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge against assets and can include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We might be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you are offered could be on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements , we will be able to provide an answer within just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you upload the copies of bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application within standard business time and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account statements, it may take 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 variables for determining the health of the company and the level of payments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company loans, we will assess the risk assessment the company and provide you with a tailored offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the business has been operating for, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company credit experts. They’ll provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing using the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.