FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Otara Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Otara Small Business Loans
Otara unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an instant response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business use, including managing cash flows, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Otara Business Loans
What is the Larger Otara Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (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 company loan is a great option for almost every company purpose including company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than stating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We might be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you are offered could be on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial 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 usually provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request within standard company times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use our advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply in normal business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision in as little as 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you upload the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we consider a variety of aspects to determine the well-being of your business and the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to assess the well-being for your business and the extent of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us company loans, we will assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the business has been operating and whether the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company loan specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is vital and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or an company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.