FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Sheldon Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Sheldon Small Business Loans
Sheldon unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including control of cash flow company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Sheldon Business Loans
What is the Larger Sheldon Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove 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 all company purpose including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s by taking a charge against assets, which could also include registering this with the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry 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 gives preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that exceeds $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you might receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply in quality company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in standard business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of elements for determining how much we can lend you well-being for your company and the extent of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess your well-being of the business as well as the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
When you make an application for the business financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your business and offer you with a customised offer that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the business is in operation, in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you need to pay, and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company loan experts. The professionals will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and is an essential part 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 sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner uses assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or a company property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your assets could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.