FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Serpentine Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Serpentine Small Business Loans
Serpentine unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company reason, such as managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Serpentine Business Loans
What is the Larger Serpentine Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The 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?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used for almost any company purpose including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by taking a charge on assets, and could include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request at quality business time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision in just 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within normal business hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects to determine your health that is your company and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess the health for your company and the amount of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is in, how long the company has been in operation as well as in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business credit experts. The experts will offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner utilises the assets they have to secure the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
What do I require security for an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access however, we do need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need a personal ensure and security in the form a charge over assets.