FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Karawatha Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Karawatha Small Business Loans
Karawatha unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest 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?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as control of cash flow company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About larger Karawatha Business Loans
What is the Larger Karawatha Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. 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 demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A large company loan can be used for almost every business use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge on assets, which could also be registered through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to apply for this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have 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 three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit approval, 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 statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request in standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision in as little as an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements , it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within an hour if you apply in standard business timings and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects to determine the health for your business and the amount of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to assess your well-being of your company and the level of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide an individualised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been in operation and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business loans specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner utilises assets they own to get the funding. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business 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 having trouble paying back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money However, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. For loans of over $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.