FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Varsity Lakes Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Varsity Lakes Small Business Loans
Varsity Lakes unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including the management of cash flow, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Varsity Lakes Business Loans
What is the Larger Varsity Lakes Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost every business need, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory, as 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 needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans that is greater than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We might be able to do this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a 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 for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request during quality company hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements , we are able to offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application within standard business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload copies of your bank statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables that determine your well-being of the business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to assess your well-being of the company and the level of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer an individualised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been running and how long the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
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 loan amount.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company loans experts. We will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Should I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money However, we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as stipulated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is an individual ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.