FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Varsity Lakes Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Varsity Lakes Small Business Loans
Varsity Lakes unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is possible to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business use, including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Varsity Lakes Business Loans
What is the Larger Varsity Lakes Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business use, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge against assets, and could be registered with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you are offered could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process 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 guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often offer a response in one hour, provided you apply in quality company time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be in a position to provide 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 may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements , it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply within normal business timings and let us use the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide the decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects in order to assess what is the well-being of your company as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the level of repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for the business credit, we will assess the risk assessment the business and provide you with a tailored offer including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the business operates in, the long the company has been running as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful business lending experts. We will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a business owner utilises an asset that they own to make the funds for a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need personal guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.