What documents do I need for a business loan in NZ?
Last reviewed: 2026-05-07 · General information only — not regulated financial advice.
Standard pack — every NZ business loan
- Financial statements. 2 years of filed accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow). Get from your accountant.
- Tax returns. Last 2 years filed (IR3 sole trader / IR4 company). Confirms revenue + ties to financials.
- Bank statements. 6–12 months of business bank statements as PDF, or open-banking permissioned feed.
- Debtor + creditor lists. Aged receivables and aged payables, current as of application date.
- Identity (AML/CFT). Passport or NZ driver licence + proof of address (utility bill / bank statement) for every director.
- Business identifiers. NZBN, GST registration, IRD number.
- Loan purpose statement. 1–2 paragraphs on what the loan funds and how it is repaid.
Asset-secured lending adds…
- Asset details: tax invoice / sale-and-purchase agreement / valuation.
- For property: registered valuation by a panel valuer, LIM report, council compliance.
- For equipment / vehicles: serial / VIN, condition report, supplier invoice.
- PPSR security details if existing finance is secured against the asset.
- Insurance: certificate of currency listing the lender's interest.
Business acquisition lending adds…
- Target's 3 years of financial statements + tax returns.
- Signed sale-and-purchase agreement (or detailed term sheet).
- Due-diligence reports (financial, legal, commercial).
- Vendor finance terms (if part of the deal).
- Forecast cash-flow showing serviceability post-acquisition.
- Buyer's source-of-funds documentation for the deposit.
Startup / pre-revenue lending adds…
- Business plan (5–15 pages, covering market, model, risks, financials).
- Founder CVs / experience evidence.
- Personal asset + liability statement (founder wealth + debts).
- Personal-guarantee documentation (security against personal property usually applies).
- Forecast model: 24–36 months of monthly P&L + cash flow.
Alternative-lender minimum pack
Most NZ alternative lenders (e.g., Prospa, Bizcap) underwrite from a much lighter pack:
- NZBN + IRD number.
- 6 months of business bank statements (often via open banking).
- Director ID + AML/CFT documents.
- Loan amount + brief purpose statement.
Trade-off: smaller maximum loan size and higher pricing than banks, but faster decision and lighter documentation burden.
Frequently asked questions
What documents are needed for a NZ business loan?
Standard NZ business-loan applications request: 2 years of financial statements, last filed tax return, 6–12 months of business bank statements, current debtor + creditor lists, NZBN + GST registration, director ID + AML information, and a brief statement of how the loan will be used. Asset-secured lending adds valuations, security details, and PPSR registrations.
Do alternative lenders need fewer documents than banks?
Yes. Alternative lenders typically rely on bank statement analytics, NZBN registration, and an automated credit pull, often without requiring filed financial statements. The trade-off is higher pricing and a smaller maximum loan size.
Do I need a business plan for a business loan?
For banks lending to startups or for amounts above auto-decision thresholds, yes — usually a 1-2 page summary covering revenue model, key risks, and how the loan is repaid. For mainstream alternative-lender unsecured loans on established businesses, a business plan is usually not required.
What ID do I need to provide?
AML/CFT identity verification is required: passport or NZ driver licence + proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement). Trustee or company directors will all need to verify identity. Foreign directors may face extra documentation.
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