FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Merrimac Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Merrimac Small Business Loans
Merrimac unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could 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 to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund 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 business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, and could include the registration of this in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal form of document to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will call you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application at standard business time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request during standard business times and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us documents from your account statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to determine your health that is your business as well as the amount of repayments that your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of elements to determine the well-being of the business and the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loan, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, how long the business has been in operation and what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and general well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what you need to pay and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to make an application for loans with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful company loans professionals. We will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We employ a highly sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a business owner borrows from the assets they have to make the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access However, we do need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.