FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Strathmore Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Strathmore Small Business Loans
Strathmore 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.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as cash flow management, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Concerning Larger Strathmore Business Loans
What is the Larger Strathmore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all business reason, such as company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just complete the online application in few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request at quality business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour if you submit your request during standard business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of elements in order to assess what is the well-being for your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine your health of your business and the extent of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for the business credit, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the company has been operating and in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay and when, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take 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 all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan experts. We will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, 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 use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner makes use of an asset that they own to secure a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access but we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.