FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Bedford Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Bedford Small Business Loans
Bedford unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including control of cash flow company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Bedford Business Loans
What is the Larger Bedford Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range 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 situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost any business use, including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is in the form of a charge against assets, which could also include registration through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We might be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may be based on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request at quality company hours and let us utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer a decision within just 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application within normal business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of elements that determine your health of your company as well as the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being for your company and the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business operates in, how long the company is in operation and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please speak to our friendly company lending experts. They will provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of huge importance and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner makes use of assets they own to make the loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.