FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Serpentine Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Serpentine Small Business Loans
Serpentine unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is possible to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business use, including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Serpentine Business Loans
What is the Larger Serpentine Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost every company reason, such as business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets, which could also include registering this on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for a business 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)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you make your application at standard company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision within just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most effective method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply within standard business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors in order to assess what is the health of the business and the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess your well-being for your business and the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
When you request business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your business and offer you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the business operates in, the long the company has been operating and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. 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 request a credit loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company loans specialists. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and is a crucial 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 protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of the assets they have to make the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to get a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money but we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need an individual ensure and security in the form charges on assets.