FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Westminster Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Westminster Small Business Loans
Westminster unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business reason, such as cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Westminster Business Loans
What is the Larger Westminster Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large business loan can be used for almost every company purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets, which could also be registered in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans of $250K or more we can offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We may be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could be on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you apply at standard company time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer within 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within one hour – provided you submit your request in standard business times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 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 upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of variables for determining your well-being that is your company and the extent of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the business.
If you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the level of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk profile the business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company has been operating for, how long the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company lending specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss payments and to work with your cash flow general, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner uses assets they own to get the loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or a company property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, you are able to get the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.