FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Secret Harbour unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Secret Harbour Business Loans
What is the Larger Secret Harbour Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost any business use, including business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that 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 contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, 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 trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply at standard company hours and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we will be able to provide a decision in as little as an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request during standard business hours 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 banking statements we can offer an answer within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements for determining how much we can lend you health for your company and the extent of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine the health for your company and the extent of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you apply for the business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and provide an individualised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been running, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company loans professionals. They’ll provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is vital and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner uses the assets they have to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or an business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money however, we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.