FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Fig Tree Pocket Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Fig Tree Pocket Small Business Loans
Fig Tree Pocket unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business purpose including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Fig Tree Pocket Business Loans
What is the Larger Fig Tree Pocket Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A larger business loan can be used to fund almost every business purpose including company remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
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 include registration with the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business 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 you to qualify for 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 easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request during standard company timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer a decision within 1 company 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 your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour if you make your application during standard business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide a decision in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you send us documents from your account statements it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine your well-being for your business and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
When you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business and the extent of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
When you request our business loans, we will assess the risk profile of your company and offer you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, how long the company has been operating as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful business loan professionals. They’ll offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital 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 standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner borrows from an asset they own to make a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of banks, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we do need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.