FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Bethania Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Bethania Small Business Loans
Bethania unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an instant response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company reason, such as control of cash flow company renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Bethania Business Loans
What is the Larger Bethania Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
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.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the business needs to have been operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business need, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets and can include registration with the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K it’s possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour if you submit your request at standard business times and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link 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 the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request within standard business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we consider a variety of factors to determine your well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess the well-being for your business and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you apply for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been running, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please speak to our friendly business loans experts. They will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted 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, use, exchange and secure your information, is vital and a vital part 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 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner borrows from an asset they own to secure a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required before you are able to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract), asset security is not required. For loans over $150,000 generally, there is an individual ensure and security in the form an asset charge.