FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Ashmore Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Ashmore Small Business Loans
Ashmore unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including control of cash flow business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Ashmore Business Loans
What is the Larger Ashmore Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan can be used for almost all company need, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge over assets, and may include registering this on the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply during quality business hours and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just an 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. Once you have 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. Some deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you make your application at standard business hours and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of aspects for determining what is the well-being that is your business and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business and the extent of the repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the company credit, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please contact our helpful company credit experts. The professionals will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted 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 safeguard your data, is crucial and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner uses assets they own to secure a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money However, we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.