FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The North Lake Small Business Loans
Tell me about the North Lake Small Business Loans
North Lake unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and 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 North Lake Business Loans
What is the Larger North Lake Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost all company reason, such as company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for 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 necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $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 be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 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 statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request at standard business times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you submit your request within standard business timings and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve 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. Some transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of the company as well as the amount of the repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors to determine the health of the business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for our company loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide an individualised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation, how long the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly business loans professionals. They’ll provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online so we can offer rapid 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 obtain the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
Do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money but we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you are able to get a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.