The 60-second online enquiry: every question, and why it is there

The first screen of any online loan process sets the direction for everything after it. A good enquiry form is short, asks only what it needs and leaves the detailed work for later, once you know there is a realistic option. Here is what ours asks, question by question, and the reason behind each one.

What does each question on the enquiry form do?

Question	Why it is asked	Tip
How much do you need?	Sets the product range: unsecured is typically $5,000 to $500,000; property-secured runs $20,000 to $5,000,000	Use the real figure, not a padded one
What is it for?	Lenders fund business purposes only, and the purpose shapes the structure	Be specific: “replace refrigeration”, not “general”
How long have you traded?	Trading history affects which lenders will look at you	Count from when the business began earning
Monthly turnover (roughly)	Unsecured limits are sized on revenue and bank statements	A band is fine; do not include GST refunds
Your region	Helps with timing, valuers and local knowledge	Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and so on
Do you own property?	Property security opens larger amounts and different lenders	Include investment property and commercial premises
Contact details	So a real person can call you	Use the mobile you actually answer

That is all. No bank logins, no IRD number, no photo ID and no credit check. Those come later, and only if you decide to go ahead.

Why does the purpose question matter so much?

Business lenders care about what the money will do. Funding a $40,000 tax bill is a different conversation from funding a $400,000 commercial property deposit. The purpose also tells the specialist whether a lump-sum loan, a revolving online line of credit or invoice finance would serve you better.

Purposes we commonly see from New Zealand businesses include:

• clearing GST, provisional tax or other Inland Revenue debt;
• buying equipment, vehicles or technology;
• covering a seasonal gap or a large contract before it pays;
• refinancing short-term debt that has become expensive;
• buying a business or premises;
• funding a fit-out or expansion.

Whatever yours is, write it plainly. There is no wrong answer, only a vague one.

Why ask about property if I want an unsecured loan?

Because it widens your options. Even if you prefer not to use property, knowing it exists lets the specialist explain the trade-offs. A property-secured loan may allow a larger amount or a longer term. An unsecured loan keeps your home or premises out of the deal. You decide; the question just makes sure you hear both sides.

What happens in the minutes after you press send?

Your enquiry lands with a specialist, not a bidding pool. They read it, check whether the numbers hang together and look at which lenders could realistically say yes. Then they call. If you sent it outside business hours, expect a call the next working morning. You can see the full sequence on tracking your application.

Ready now? Send your 60-second enquiry and keep your phone close.

What makes an enquiry slow down later?

The enquiry itself is quick. Problems show up a day or two later when the details on the form do not match the documents. The most common mismatches:

1. Amount drift. The form says $100,000; the actual need turns out to be $230,000. The lender match may change entirely.
2. Turnover optimism. Monthly revenue entered as a good month rather than an average. Bank statements will show the real average.
3. Undisclosed tax debt. An IRD arrears balance is often workable, but finding it late resets the conversation.
4. Wrong entity. The form names the trading name; the bank account belongs to a different company. Check the Companies Register and your NZBN details match.
5. Missing co-owners. A second director who needs to sign was never mentioned.

None of these are deal-breakers when raised up front. They only cost time when they surface late.

Is the online enquiry the same as a loan application?

No. Think of it as raising your hand. It lets a specialist understand the shape of your request and explain realistic options. The formal application — the part with bank data, identity checks and a credit check — comes afterwards, with your agreement. You can stop at any point before you sign.

How is your enquiry data protected?

Your information is collected for the purpose of finding you suitable business finance and handled under the Privacy Act 2020. That means it is used for the reason it was collected, stored securely and shared only as needed to arrange your finance. Read the Privacy Act basics for loan applicants for your rights, including how to ask for a copy of what is held.

Can you enquire on a phone?

Yes, and most people do. The form is built for a small screen: big tap targets, no tiny drop-downs, nothing to download. If you are on a work site or between customers, you can send it in the gap and take the call when it suits. Just make sure you are on a secure connection rather than open public Wi-Fi, and that the address bar shows the site you meant to visit. Our checklist for applying safely from your phone covers the basics in two minutes.

Send it when you are ready

A minute is all it takes. Sending the enquiry will not touch your credit file, your details stay with one team rather than being fired off to a crowd of lenders, and a real person reads every word before picking up the phone. Give the honest numbers — amount, purpose, turnover and any property — and the first conversation will be a useful one. Check what your business could qualify for.