FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Upwey Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Upwey Small Business Loans
Upwey unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including managing cash flows, 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 larger Upwey Business Loans
What is the Larger Upwey Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done in the form of a charge against assets, and may include registration through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply at quality company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply within standard business timings and you allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects for determining your health that is your company and the level of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess the well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the company has been operating, how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please call our helpful company loan professionals. The specialists will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner makes use of an asset they own to obtain a loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or an business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new funding using the value of what you already own.
Do I need security to get a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required before you can access the money, however we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.