Straight answers, no fine print

LendFriend is a New Zealand business lending matchmaker. We explain your options in plain English, look at your situation, and match you with a suitable lender from our lending panel. Then you decide.

No. We work with a panel of lenders and match you with the one that suits your situation. Sometimes we'll tell you a bank is your best option — and when that's true, we'll say so.

Because every loan is priced on the borrower's individual circumstances — security, purpose, credit history, amount and term. A published rate rarely matches what a real business is offered. We find the sharpest option available for your situation and explain the total cost clearly.

No. Enquiring is free and takes about 60 seconds. There's no obligation to go ahead.

Yes. Everything happens by phone and online, so we help business owners from Northland to Southland — Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and everywhere in between.

Sole traders, companies, partnerships and trusts can all apply. The funding must be for business purposes.

No. We only help with lending for business purposes, not personal, household or consumer lending.

For unsecured loans and lines of credit, usually around six months or more. For property-secured loans, trading history is less critical because the lender focuses on the property and your plan to repay.

Unsecured options are usually for businesses with some trading history. A newer business may still have options if you or a supporting party can offer NZ property as security.

Property-secured business loans range from $20,000 up to $1m, secured on New Zealand property.

Your home, a rental or investment property, commercial property or land in New Zealand — owned by you or by a supporting party such as a family member or trust.

Yes. The loan can be a second mortgage sitting behind your existing mortgage, as long as there's enough equity.

Not for the initial assessment of a property-secured loan. The lender focuses on the property and your plan to repay.

In some cases, within 24 hours of approval. Timing depends on valuations, legal work and how quickly documents are signed.

It's based on your turnover and bank statements rather than a fixed figure.

Decisions on unsecured business loans can sometimes be made the same day.

Often, yes, particularly for company borrowers. Our guide to personal guarantees in plain English explains what that means.

No. Our enquiry doesn't affect your credit score. A lender only runs a credit check later, with your permission, if you decide to apply.

Often, yes. For property-secured loans, bad credit, defaults and arrears are considered case by case. For unsecured loans, weaker credit is considered alongside your recent bank statements.

Yes. IRD debt can be refinanced or paid out with a business loan. It's worth contacting Inland Revenue early too — an instalment arrangement may be part of the answer.

Yes, potentially. Property-secured lenders don't need financials or tax returns for the initial assessment, which is why this route suits owners whose accounts are behind.

A lending specialist calls you back to talk through your situation. We then match you with a suitable lender from our panel, who assesses your application. If approved, we explain the offer and you decide. See what happens after you apply.

Usually ID for everyone involved, and either recent business bank statements (unsecured) or property details (secured). Our paperwork checklist has the full list.

Never. You can ask questions, take time to read, get legal advice, or decide not to go ahead.

The lenders on our panel offer short to medium term business funding. The right term depends on what you're funding and your plan to repay.