Can I get a business loan without collateral?

Who qualifies for unsecured lending

• Established businesses (typically 1–2+ years of trading).
• Demonstrable revenue and serviceability via 6–12 months of bank statements.
• Clean or near-clean director credit profile.
• NZ-registered company or sole trader with NZBN + GST.
• No major recent IRD arrears.

When unsecured is the right choice

• Short-term working capital needs (3–24 months).
• Speed matters more than rate — opportunity-cost financing.
• You don't have appropriate security (no business property, equipment new and not yet financed, etc.).
• You want to preserve secured-lending capacity for a larger future need (e.g., property purchase).

When secured beats unsecured

• Loan amount over the unsecured cap.
• Long-term lending (5+ years).
• Property purchase (always secured by definition).
• Equipment purchase — chattel mortgage / hire purchase against the asset is usually cheaper.