FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Fitzgibbon Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Fitzgibbon Small Business Loans
Fitzgibbon unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and have the funds in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as control of cash flow company remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Fitzgibbon Business Loans
What is the Larger Fitzgibbon Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly all company use, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. This is by way of charge against assets, and could be registered through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply at standard company timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application in standard business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision within 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors for determining how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics the business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company financing, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company operates in, how long the business has been running as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business credit specialists. They’ll offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner utilises an asset they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset 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 own.
Should I need security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access however, we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, you are able to get a personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.