FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Seddon Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Seddon Small Business Loans
Seddon unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company purpose including the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About larger Seddon Business Loans
What is the Larger Seddon Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to be trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger business loan can be used for almost every company reason, such as business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by way of charge on assets, and could include the registration of this on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. 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 that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, 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 - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you apply in quality business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application during normal business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors for determining your health of the company and the extent of repayments that your company can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine your well-being of the business and the amount of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment the company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been operating for, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company credit professionals. They will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a business owner utilises the assets they have to secure the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I need security for an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required before you are able to access the money however, we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you are able to get personal guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.