FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Karawatha Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Karawatha Small Business Loans
Karawatha unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company reason, such as cash flow management, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
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 business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly every business need, including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets, and may include registration on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans of more than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We could be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (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 simple. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application during quality company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide the decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request in standard business times and allow us to use 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 can offer the decision in just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide 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 variables that determine the well-being of the company as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we look at a range of elements to determine your health for your business and the level of the repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company loan experts. We 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 the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner borrows from assets they own to secure the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stated in the loan contract), asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you are able to get an individual ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.