FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The St James Small Business Loans
Tell me about the St James Small Business Loans
St James unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company need, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger St James Business Loans
What is the Larger St James Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan can be used for almost every company need, including business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge on assets and can include the registration of this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is 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 without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
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 at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application in standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in just the span of one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request within standard business hours and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements for determining what is the health of the company and the amount of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects to assess your health of the company and the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company operates in, the long the business has been in operation as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you need to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to do this please contact our helpful business lending specialists. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and is an essential 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 financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner utilises an asset they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security for a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.