FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Merrimac Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Merrimac Small Business Loans
Merrimac unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. This company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business reason, such as cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger Merrimac Business Loans
What is the Larger Merrimac Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This 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 be eligible for a credit in this amount the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large business loan can be used for nearly every company use, including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, which could also be registered with the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document filed to offer notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without a credit verification 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 in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you receive could have different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply during standard business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for 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 most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you make your application in normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to determine your health for your company and the level of repayments that your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements to determine your well-being for your business and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, the long the business has been operating, whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan experts. They’ll provide you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner uses the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s means of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I require security for a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money but we do require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as specified in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need an individual ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.