FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Officer South Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Officer South Small Business Loans
Officer South unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Officer South Business Loans
What is the Larger Officer South Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost every business use, including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, and may be registered with the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company 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 records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request within standard business timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer in just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in standard business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer the decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve 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 can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects to determine the well-being that is your business and the extent of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your company and the extent of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for one of our company loans, we will assess the risk assessment the business and provide you with a tailored offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, how long the company is in operation, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the overall health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to request a credit loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan experts. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of huge importance and an integral part 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 protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online. This allows us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner borrows from assets they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or an company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is an individual ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.