FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Fortitude Valley Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Fortitude Valley Small Business Loans
Fortitude Valley unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company use, including the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About larger Fortitude Valley Business Loans
What is the Larger Fortitude Valley Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all company need, including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by way of charge on assets, and could include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the business the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could be able to do this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will call you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, 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.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request within standard business hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer a decision in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you apply in standard business timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you well-being for your company and the level of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company credit, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know the exact amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business operates in, how long the company has been running and whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit experts. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner borrows from the assets they have to secure a loan. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security to get an company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.