FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Sassafras Small Business Loans
Sassafras unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an instant response and the funds 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 business loan is a cash-based loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Sassafras Business Loans
What is the Larger Sassafras Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your business needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A larger company loan is a great option for almost every company need, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by way of charge over assets, and may include registering this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial well-being checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for a 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. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application in quality company time and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer in as little as an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request at normal business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors that determine the health of the business and the level of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess the health of the business and the extent of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and provide you with a customised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the company is in, how long the business has been running and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company loans experts. They’ll offer you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and an integral element 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 personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner uses assets they own to secure the loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access however, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.