FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Waterways Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Waterways Small Business Loans
Waterways unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business need, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Waterways Business Loans
What is the Larger Waterways Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount the company needs to be operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business purpose including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is in the form of a charge over assets, and may be registered in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We may be able to get this done 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. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (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 process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced business credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with 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 also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within quality business timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you make your application during standard business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to determine how much we can lend you well-being that is your business and the level of payments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your business and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to request our business loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your business and provide you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the company operates in, the long the company has been running, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business loans experts. We will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is vital and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to provide 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 obtain the funding. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
What do I need security to get an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.