FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Merrimac Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Merrimac Small Business Loans
Merrimac unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as control of cash flow business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Merrimac Business Loans
What is the Larger Merrimac Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percentage 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 in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. 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 continuous trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost all company purpose including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge over assets, which could also include registering this through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It is not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for 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 application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $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 financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you apply in standard company hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in as little as an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer a response in one hour, provided you make your application in standard business time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we will be able to offer a decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of variables in order to assess your health of the business and the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a range of factors to determine the well-being that is your company and the level of repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a tailored offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the company is in operation as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company credit experts. The professionals will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow general, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner uses an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need an individual ensure and security in the form a charge over assets.