FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Serpentine Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Serpentine Small Business Loans
Serpentine unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business reason, such as control of cash flow company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About the Larger Serpentine Business Loans
What is the Larger Serpentine Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either 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 amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, and could be registered with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to pay back 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 grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that exceeds $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the 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. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you make your application within standard company timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within just an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us documents from your account statements it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard business times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us documents from your account accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements that determine your health that is your business and the amount of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of elements to assess your well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, how long the company has been in operation and what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the general well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company loan experts. They’ll offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner uses the assets they have to make the loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
What do I require security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, you can get the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.