FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The The Gap Small Business Loans
Let me know more about The Gap Small Business Loans
The Gap unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company use, including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger The Gap Business Loans
What is the Larger The Gap Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get 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 income of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an 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)
- must show at least six months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you apply in standard business time and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to provide a decision within one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application during standard business time and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects to determine your health that is your company and the level of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of the company and the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request the business credit, we will assess the risk profile the business and provide an individualised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the business is in operation for, whether the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what you be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business lending professionals. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance 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 standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer rapid 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 get the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans of over $150,000 generally, you are able to get the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.