FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The The Gap Small Business Loans
Tell me more about The Gap Small Business Loans
The Gap unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an instant response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company need, such as managing cash flows, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger The Gap Business Loans
What is the Larger The Gap Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost all company purpose including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include registration in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced company loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply at standard business times and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application at normal business time and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer an answer within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors for determining how much we can lend you health for your business and the level of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements to assess your well-being of your business and the extent of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a tailored offer, including loan amount, term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business operates in, how long the company has been operating for, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with 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 the loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please contact our helpful business credit specialists. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and is a crucial part 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 and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your 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 an company owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, even the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get a company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access however, we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.