FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Merrimac Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Merrimac Small Business Loans
Merrimac unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company need, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Merrimac Business Loans
What is the Larger Merrimac Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own 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 used for?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned according to the date the security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to get this done without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could have different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$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 – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide a response in one hour, provided you apply in quality business timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in just one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within one hour – provided you make your application in normal business hours and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statements it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects that determine what is the health for your business as well as the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to assess the health of the business as well as the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for one of our company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and offer you with a tailored proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the company has been operating as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay, and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business loan specialists. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner borrows from the assets they have to make a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
What do I require security to get an company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.