FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Alkimos Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Alkimos Small Business Loans
Alkimos unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company use, including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About the Larger Alkimos Business Loans
What is the Larger Alkimos Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. Your company must belong to 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 the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every company use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment 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 needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by taking a charge over assets, and could include registration on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business 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 granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans of $250,000 or more we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be based on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have 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 to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply in quality business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision in as little as the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during standard company hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements , it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you submit your request at normal business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects to determine your health for your business and the level of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we look at a range of factors to assess your well-being for your company and the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company credit, we will assess the risk profile for your business and provide you with a customised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the company is operating in, how long the company has been running, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please call our helpful business lending specialists. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner makes use of an asset they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. 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 have.
What do I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money However, we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K generally, there is personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.