FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Kiara Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Kiara Small Business Loans
Kiara unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an instant response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Kiara Business Loans
What is the Larger Kiara 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 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for almost any business need, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s by taking a charge against assets, and may include registration through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more it is possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health questions. This is not an offer or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in quality company time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within just 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer a response in one hour – provided you make your application within standard business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements in order to assess your health for your company and the extent of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess your well-being of the business and the level of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you request the company loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the business has been running, whether the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company lending specialists. They’ll provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange 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 employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner utilises assets they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access However, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in the 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 typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.