FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Plenty Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Plenty Small Business Loans
Plenty unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
Apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business need, such as control of cash flow business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Plenty Business Loans
What is the Larger Plenty Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined 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 the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business need, including business remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital, and 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 accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge over assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour if you make your application during standard company time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you make your application at normal business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of factors for determining what is the well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine your health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the business has been in operation and whether the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage 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 total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company credit specialists. We will provide you with repayment details and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner utilises an asset that they own to get a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to get an business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money However, we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.