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. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About 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 expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any business need, including business renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge against assets and can include registering this on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide the legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000 it is possible to 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 your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could have different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company 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 prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request at quality company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer in just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply in normal business times and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors to determine the health of your company and the level of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to request the business loan, we will assess the risk assessment the company and offer an individualised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the company has been in operation and how long the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can repay all of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company credit specialists. The professionals will offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and secure your information, is vital and is a crucial part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner utilises an asset that they own to obtain the funding. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is a way of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access however, we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans over $150,000 generally, there is a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.