FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Strathmore Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Strathmore Small Business Loans
Strathmore unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business need, such as the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Strathmore Business Loans
What is the Larger Strathmore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost any business reason, such as business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge on assets, and could include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan of more than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. It is possible to do this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an company 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and 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 – $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 for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you apply within standard company timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in just an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of elements to determine the well-being for your company as well as the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects to determine the health for your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you request the business loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating and what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loan professionals. We will provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner uses an asset that they own to secure the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lenders, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money but we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.