FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Alkimos Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Alkimos Small Business Loans
Alkimos unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
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 company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for almost all business need, including company improvements, purchasing new 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 is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by way of charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We might be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you make your application within standard company timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer within an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer a response in one hour, provided you apply during standard business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide an answer within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables that determine the well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess the well-being for your company and the level of payments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you request the business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know the exact 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 factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been running for, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to do this please call our helpful company credit specialists. They will provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner borrows from assets they own to secure a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of an asset charge.