FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Underwood Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Underwood Small Business Loans
Underwood unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 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 the traditional business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business purpose including cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Underwood Business Loans
What is the Larger Underwood Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This 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?
To qualify for a loan of this size the business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funds be used for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly every company reason, such as company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets and can include registering this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could have different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may 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 company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will contact you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within an hour if you apply in standard company timings and let us utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – provided you apply at normal business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of factors that determine your well-being for your business as well as the amount of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a range of elements to determine the well-being of the company and the amount of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for our business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know the exact amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the business has been in operation as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit experts. The professionals will provide you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner borrows from an asset they own to get a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Should I require security for an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.