FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Merrimac Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Merrimac Small Business Loans
Merrimac unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business purpose including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
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 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory, as 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 funding of more than $150,000. This is by taking a charge over assets, which could also include registering this on the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (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 quick and easy. Complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply within standard business time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statements , it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within an hour if you apply in normal business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects in order to assess what is the well-being for your business and the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine your well-being of your business and the extent of the repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you request our company financing, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will know the exact amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is in, how long the company is in operation as well as in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to take this route, please call our helpful company lending experts. They’ll provide you with repayment details and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance and a vital aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner utilises an asset they own to get a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we do require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.