FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Natural Bridge Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Natural Bridge Small Business Loans
Natural Bridge unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as cash flow management, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Natural Bridge Business Loans
What is the Larger Natural Bridge Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support 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 is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan is a great option for almost any business 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 needed for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by taking a charge against assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document lodged to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you receive could be on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request in standard company hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision in just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be in a position to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide a response in one hour – provided you submit your request in standard business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of factors to determine your well-being of your business and the level of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess the health of the company and the extent of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business loan, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and provide an individualised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the business has been running as well as how long the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay, and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can 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. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please call our helpful company loan specialists. The specialists will provide you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150K in loans there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.