FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Serpentine Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Serpentine Small Business Loans
Serpentine unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company use, including cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Serpentine Business Loans
What is the Larger Serpentine Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, and could include registration with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer in just one hour if you apply during standard business hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply in standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload documents from your account statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of elements for determining the well-being of your business and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess the well-being of your business and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us company loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what company assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company is in, how long the business has been running for, in the event that the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the general health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please call our helpful company loans professionals. They’ll provide you with repayment details and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance and is an essential aspect 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 financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner utilises an asset they own to secure the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150K generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.