FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Bertram Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Bertram Small Business Loans
Bertram unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company need, such as cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About larger Bertram Business Loans
What is the Larger Bertram Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company use, including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets, which could also be registered through the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that 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 lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. It is possible to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour if you apply at standard business times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision in just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application at standard business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of variables that determine what is the health of your business and the extent of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine the health that is your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the company has been in operation as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and at what time, 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 make an application for loans no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in 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 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful business credit experts. The specialists will provide you with repayment details and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is crucial and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner makes use of the assets they have to make the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.