Small Business Loans NZ: Compare 50+ Options

Don't settle for just one lender. Compare ALL small business loan options with real rates and honest reviews.

✓ 50+ Lender Database ✓ Real Rate Comparisons ✓ Independent Reviews
50+

Lenders Compared

$5K-$5M

Loan Range

5.5-45%

Rate Range

24hrs-8wks

Approval Times

🎯 Smart Small Business Loan Finder

Answer 3 questions to see which of the 50+ lenders are most likely to approve your application.

✓ Free service ✓ 60 seconds ✓ No obligation

Complete Small Business Lender Comparison

💡 How to Use This Comparison

Lenders are sorted by approval likelihood for small businesses. Start with your best matches and work down.

🏛️ Tier 1: Traditional Banks (Best Rates, Strictest Criteria)

Best For: Established businesses (2+ years), $500K+ revenue, excellent credit

Approval Rate: ~25% of applications (very selective)

Bank Min Amount Max Amount Rate From Min Revenue Min Trading Approval Time Key Strength
ANZ Business $10,000 $3,000,000 5.5% $300K 2 years 2-6 weeks Lowest rates for qualified borrowers
ASB Business $5,000 $5,000,000 6.0% $250K 18 months 1-4 weeks Good digital platform
BNZ Business $10,000 $10,000,000 5.8% $500K 2 years 2-5 weeks Industry specialists
Westpac Business $10,000 $5,000,000 5.7% $400K 2 years 2-6 weeks Strong relationship focus
Kiwibank $5,000 $2,000,000 6.5% $200K 18 months 1-3 weeks NZ-owned, competitive

🏪 Tier 2: Regional Banks (Good Rates, More Flexible)

Best For: Regional businesses, personal service, moderate criteria

Approval Rate: ~40% of applications

Bank Min Amount Max Amount Rate From Min Revenue Specialty
TSB Bank $10,000 $1,000,000 6.8% $150K Taranaki region focus
SBS Bank $5,000 $500,000 7.0% $100K Southland, agriculture
Heartland Bank $25,000 $2,000,000 7.5% $200K Rural, equipment

🏢 Tier 3: Non-Bank Lenders (Faster, Higher Rates)

Best For: Smaller businesses, faster approvals, asset-backed lending

Approval Rate: ~55% of applications

Lender Min Amount Max Amount Rate From Min Revenue Approval Time Specialty
Scottish Pacific $25,000 $5,000,000 7.5% $200K 3-7 days Asset-based lending
Flexi Group $5,000 $1,000,000 8.5% $100K 1-5 days Flexible criteria
Finance Now $2,000 $100,000 12% $50K Same day Equipment finance
UDC Finance $10,000 $2,000,000 8.9% $150K 2-5 days Vehicle & equipment

⚡ Tier 4: Alternative Lenders (Fast but Expensive)

Best For: Urgent funding, newer businesses, less-than-perfect credit

Approval Rate: ~70% of applications

Lender Min Amount Max Amount Rate From Min Revenue Min Trading Speed
Zip Business $5,000 $250,000 15% $75K 9 months 24 hours
Become Finance $10,000 $500,000 12% $100K 12 months 48 hours
Juno Finance $20,000 $300,000 18% $150K 6 months Same day
Moula $5,000 $250,000 16% $60K 6 months 2-3 days

🎯 Tier 5: Specialist Lenders (Niche Focus)

Best For: Specific industries, unique situations, specialized needs

Invoice Finance Specialists

  • Bibby Financial: Large invoice books
  • Cashflow Finance: SME focus
  • Debtor Finance: Construction industry

Equipment Finance Specialists

  • Custom Fleet: Vehicle fleets
  • Orix: IT equipment
  • Caterpillar Financial: Heavy machinery

Small Business Loan Rates: Complete Guide

📊 Rate Reality Check

Advertised rates are "from" rates - only the best businesses qualify. Here's what most small businesses actually pay:

Rate Ranges by Business Profile

Premium Businesses (5.5-8%)

  • 3+ years trading
  • $1M+ revenue
  • Credit score 750+
  • Security offered
  • Existing banking relationship

Good Businesses (8-15%)

  • 2+ years trading
  • $500K+ revenue
  • Credit score 650-749
  • Some assets/security
  • Mainstream industries

Average Businesses (15-25%)

  • 1-2 years trading
  • $100-500K revenue
  • Credit score 600-649
  • Limited security
  • Non-bank lenders

High-Risk Businesses (25-45%)

  • Under 12 months trading
  • Under $100K revenue
  • Credit score under 600
  • No security
  • Alternative lenders only

Cost Comparison Example

$100,000 loan over 3 years:

Rate Monthly Total Interest
6% (Bank) $3,042 $9,512
15% (Non-bank) $3,466 $24,776
25% (Alternative) $3,951 $42,236

Savings Potential: Improving your profile to qualify for bank rates could save $32,724 in this example!

Small Business Loan Eligibility Guide

Universal Requirements

✅ Must Have

  • Valid New Zealand business registration
  • Business bank account
  • GST registration (if over $60K revenue)
  • Business owner 18+ years old
  • Clear use of funds

❌ Automatic Exclusions

  • Recent bankruptcy or liquidation
  • Outstanding tax debts
  • Illegal or adult entertainment
  • Gambling or cryptocurrency
  • Multi-level marketing

Lender-Specific Criteria

Lender Type Min Credit Score Min Revenue Min Trading
Big 4 Banks 700+ $300K+ 2+ years
Regional Banks 650+ $150K+ 18+ months
Non-Bank 600+ $100K+ 12+ months
Alternative 550+ $50K+ 6+ months

💡 Improvement Tips

  • Credit Score: Pay bills on time, reduce personal debt
  • Revenue: Wait until stronger trading period
  • Documentation: Professional financial statements
  • Banking: Move accounts to target lender

Smart Application Strategy

⚠️ Avoid These Costly Mistakes

Don't Do This:

  • Apply to 5+ lenders simultaneously
  • Start with the hardest-to-qualify lender
  • Submit incomplete applications
  • Accept first offer without shopping
  • Apply when desperate/pressured

Why It Hurts:

  • Multiple credit hits damage score
  • Rejection makes next applications harder
  • Delays approval process
  • Leave money on the table
  • Desperation premium pricing

Step-by-Step Application Process

1

Assess Your Profile

Use our Loan Finder to identify your tier

2

Prepare Documentation

Get all paperwork perfect before applying

3

Choose Target Lenders

Pick 3-4 lenders from your tier

4

Apply Strategically

Start with most likely, one at a time

5

Negotiate & Compare

Use competing offers to improve terms

Required Documentation Checklist

Financial Statements (2-3 years)

Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow

Tax Returns (2 years)

Business and personal tax returns

Bank Statements (6-12 months)

Business and personal accounts

Business Registration Documents

Company registration, partnership agreements

Personal Identification

Driver's license, passport for all owners

Business Plan & Use of Funds

Detailed explanation of loan purpose

Small Business Loan Calculator

Calculate potential loan repayments based on your business profile and compare options.

Get Your Business Loan Quote

Free consultation with our lending specialists

No obligation. Our specialists will contact you within 24 hours with personalized loan options.

Small Business Loan FAQs

What counts as a small business for loan purposes in NZ?

Generally businesses with under $5M annual revenue and fewer than 20 employees. However, loan eligibility depends more on turnover, trading history, and credit profile than official size definitions.

What's the minimum credit score for small business loans?

Banks typically require 650+ credit scores. Alternative lenders may accept 550+. However, lower scores mean higher rates and more restrictive terms.

How much can I borrow as a small business?

Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $5M depending on lender, business turnover, and purpose. Most small businesses qualify for $25K-$500K based on annual revenue and cash flow.

How long does it take to get approved?

Traditional banks: 2-8 weeks. Non-bank lenders: 3-7 days. Alternative lenders: 24-48 hours. Faster approval usually means higher interest rates.

Do I need to offer security for a small business loan?

Not always. Unsecured loans are available but have higher rates. Security (property, equipment, etc.) can significantly reduce interest rates and improve approval chances.

Should I use a broker or apply directly?

Brokers can save time and match you with suitable lenders, often at no cost. However, direct applications might secure better rates with some lenders who don't pay broker commissions.

What if my application gets rejected?

Wait 3-6 months before reapplying to banks. Work on improving your credit score, revenue, or consider non-bank lenders who have different criteria.

Can I get a business loan as a sole trader?

Yes, sole traders can get business loans. However, incorporation as a limited company often improves approval chances and available loan amounts.

Find Your Perfect Small Business Loan

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