FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Somerton Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerton Small Business Loans
Somerton unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company reason, such as managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Somerton Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerton Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost any company use, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge on assets and can include the registration of this in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (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 simple and simple. Complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer in just one hour, provided you apply within standard company timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine what is the health for your business and the extent of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine the health for your company and the extent of repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you request our company loans, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer you with a tailored proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the company operates in, the long the company has been operating for, whether the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to do this please call our helpful company lending specialists. We will provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques 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 privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner uses an asset that they own to get a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a company property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.