FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The The Gap Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the The Gap Small Business Loans
The Gap unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including control of cash flow business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger The Gap Business Loans
What is the Larger The Gap Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any company use, including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets, and may include registration on the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We could be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced business credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, 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 reports.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply in standard business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors for determining your health for your business and the extent of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine your health for your company and the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company loan, we will assess the risk assessment the company and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been running and in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit professionals. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is vital and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online so we can provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner utilises an asset that they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 generally there is personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.