FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Secret Harbour unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company need, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Secret Harbour Business Loans
What is the Larger Secret Harbour Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large business loan can be used for nearly all business use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge against assets and can include registration in the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can 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)
- must show at least six months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you submit your request during standard business time and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to offer the decision within one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application within normal business timings and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess how much we can lend you health of your business and the extent of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of variables to assess the well-being of the company and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you make an application for our business loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been running for, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with 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. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company loan specialists. We will offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information 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 part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner utilises an asset that they own to obtain the funding. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access However, we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract document) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.