FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Northbridge Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Northbridge Small Business Loans
Northbridge unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Northbridge Business Loans
What is the Larger Northbridge Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business need, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
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: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour – as long as you apply within standard business hours and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision within just an business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application at normal business time and permit us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your 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 offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of elements in order to assess the health for your business and the amount of payments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to determine the health that is your business and the level of payments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our business loan, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and offer you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will know the exact amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the company has been running as well as how long the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please call our helpful company lending specialists. We will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner borrows from an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or an company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I require security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as stipulated in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K generally there is an individual ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.