FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Bittern Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Bittern Small Business Loans
Bittern unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could 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 remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About larger Bittern Business Loans
What is the Larger Bittern Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any business use, including company improvements, purchasing 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 necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge on assets, which could also include registering this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for an business 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’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply within quality company times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application during standard business hours and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you upload copies of your bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of aspects in order to assess what is the health of the business 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 company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine your well-being that is your company and the extent of repayments that your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for, the industry the company is operating in, how long the company is in operation, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us 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 entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business loans specialists. The professionals will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner makes use of an asset they own to make the funding. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money but we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you can get an individual ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.