FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Carina Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Carina Small Business Loans
Carina unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. This company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business need, such as the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Carina Business Loans
What is the Larger Carina Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as 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 Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost any company need, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this in the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. We may be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of 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 you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will call you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details 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 twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
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 – as long as you make your application at quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer an answer within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application during standard business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the 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 fastest way is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of variables to determine what is the well-being for your company as well as the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for our company credit, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating and whether the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay, and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company credit experts. We will offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner makes use of assets they own to get the loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing by using the value of what you already have.
Do I need security for a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract) the security of assets is not needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.