FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Karawatha Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Karawatha Small Business Loans
Karawatha unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company need, such as managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Karawatha Business Loans
What is the Larger Karawatha Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your business needs to be operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business purpose including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by taking a charge over assets, and may include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business 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 reflects security interests registered in respect of 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 filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you may receive may have different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a 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)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application in quality company times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system 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 within just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us documents from your account statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application in standard business hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables that determine your health for your company and the amount of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to determine the health of your company and the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you request the business credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and offer an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business operates in, the long the business has been operating for, whether the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding 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 without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company loans experts. They will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security to secure an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets before you can access the money but we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.