FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Bertram Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Bertram Small Business Loans
Bertram unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company need, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About larger Bertram Business Loans
What is the Larger Bertram Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any business purpose including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We might be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial well-being checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may have different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application during standard company time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer a response in one hour – provided you submit your request during normal business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors that determine your health of your business and the extent of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your company.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being for your company and the extent of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you apply for the business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is in, how long the company is in operation as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved 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 pay out 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 pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company loan professionals. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial aspect 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 as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner utilises assets they own to make the loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a company property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money However, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stipulated in your loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get the option of a personal ensure and security in the form the charge of assets.