FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Westminster Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Westminster Small Business Loans
Westminster unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company reason, such as the management of cash flow, business renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Westminster Business Loans
What is the Larger Westminster Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all business reason, such as company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be subject to different conditions.
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 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide a response in one hour, provided you apply in standard business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer within the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of aspects for determining how much we can lend you well-being of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our company financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll know the exact amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating and what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (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 without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful company loans specialists. We will offer you with repayment details and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is vital and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their security. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner borrows from an asset they own to get the loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans over $150,000 generally, you can get a personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.