FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Secret Harbour Small Business Loans
Secret Harbour unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. This business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Secret Harbour Business Loans
What is the Larger Secret Harbour Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $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 determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 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.
How can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost any business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central 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 gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may 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 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove 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 up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company loan specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within an hour if you make your application during quality business times and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us the copies of bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request in standard business timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to provide the decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of variables for determining your well-being that is your business and the amount of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your business and the extent of repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us business credit, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the business operates in, how long the company has been operating and what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan experts. We will offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of huge importance 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 protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner borrows from assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or a company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money however, we do require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.