Search

Small Business Loan Calculator - Repayments & Costs

Work out weekly repayments and the true cost of a fast, unsecured small business loan with our calculator, tailored to your purpose and industry.
Updated 2 August 2026

Summary
  • A small business loan is usually fast, unsecured funding from a specialist lender rather than a bank, often up to around $150,000.
  • The money arrives quickly, but you pay for the speed - the rate is higher than a secured bank loan, and there is almost always an origination fee on top. However, this is less relevant when banks stop or cut back on lending to small businesses, as has been the case recently throughout New Zealand.
  • To use the calculator, enter the amount, the term you borrow for (e.g. how many months), and the rate you have been quoted. Choose how often you will repay, set the origination fee, and pick your purpose and industry to get further insights about the loan costs.
  • Know this first: The rate is not the whole cost. For example, a 4% origination fee on a 15% loan makes it more expensive than 15%, and many lenders rarely add that fee into the headline they offer. The calculator adds it back so you see the real number before you commit.​​​​​​​​​​
Small Business Loan Repayment Calculator

For fast, unsecured small-business lending. Work out your weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, the true cost once the origination fee is added, and whether a cheaper option suits your purpose and industry better.

$
$5k$500k
For context, NZ business loans we track average around $50,000, with fresh lending nearer $32,000.
Most NZ business term loans run 1 to 7 years. A longer term lowers the repayment but raises the total interest you pay.
% p.a.
10%40%
Fast-funded lenders usually collect weekly. More frequent repayments shave a little off the total cost.
%
Charged on the amount borrowed. Fast-funded lenders often charge 3 to 5%. We add it to the true cost below.
The headline rate alone never tells you the real cost. Set your own rate above and watch the true cost figure move.
Weekly repayment
$281/ week
No upfront security required with most fast-funded lenders.

Your balance over time

How the amount you owe falls as you make each repayment.

Today3 years

Need a full amortisation schedule or comparing a structured term loan? Use our business loan calculator. Borrowing on and off as cash flow moves? Compare a line of credit.

These calculations are based on the figures you enter and are for illustrative purposes only. They are not forecasts, an offer of credit or financial advice, and do not imply that any product is suitable for you. Repayments are calculated on a reducing balance using your chosen rate as an effective annual rate, plus any origination fee shown separately. Actual lender pricing, fees, terms and credit criteria vary. Always check the contract before you sign.

A few things to know before you go any further:
  • Your rate is set on your business, not advertised. Trading history, cash flow, your credit record and any security all move it.
  • Expect an origination fee of around 3 to 5% on top, often added to the loan rather than paid upfront.
  • Watch for dishonour and late payment fees, and check whether extra repayments are free.
  • Fast and unsecured is convenient, but a secured bank loan or asset finance is usually cheaper if you can wait. The calculator's guidance flags when that is worth a look.

Funding your loan
  • Prospa (a MoneyHub partner) is the specialist lender we would look at first for fast, unsecured small business funding: loans from $5,000 to $500,000, no property security required up to $150,000, a decision in about an hour, and unlimited extra repayments with no penalty.
  • We have read the Prospa NZ's audited accounts and they stack up - profitable, well-capitalised, and actively lending.​
Small business loan fees and interest rates
  • ​Be aware that advertised interest rates from lenders may vary from your actual rate due to your personal circumstances. 
  • Many lenders charge loan approval fees (usually around 1% to 3% of the loan amount) which is added to the borrowing amount. 
  • The interest rate is dependent on the credit score of the borrower and any guarantors, the affordability or the loan  (i.e. your financial position) and the purpose of the loan (e.g. is it for working capital, growth or an asset purchase).
  • Because every business is different, the only way to find out the interest rate for your business is to approach lenders directly.

Our video guide to business loans has more details around the risks and true costs of a business loan:
Fast Business Funding: Compare Your Options​
We compared business loans from Prospa and five major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank and Heartland). The results were clear - Prospa offers several advantages:
  • Same-day funding vs 2-4 week bank waits
  • ​Decision in one hour (vs weeks of uncertainty with banks)
  • No property security needed up to $150,000
  • 10-minute online application
  • Unlimited extra repayments without penalties
  • 24/7 app with Xero integration
  • Unique benefit: 14-day Change of Mind Policy - return funds at no cost

Important Update for any Business Looking to Borrow in 2026
  • We keep hearing from businesses and seeing it in data-driven media reports that banks are pulling back on unsecured business lending, and overdrafts are being trimmed.
  • Prospa, a specialist lender and trusted MoneyHub partner, has stepped into the gap, with rates from 14.99% p.a. and a decision in about an hour.
  • Prospa confirmed with MoneyHub that recent lending to established businesses (trading 3+ years, with solid turnover) typically sits between about 15% and 20%.
  • See the rate you'd actually pay with Prospa on their website.
  • Know This: Your rate depends on your trading history, turnover and industry, and these are annual simple rates, so your real cost is a little higher.

Know More: We Reviewed Prospa's Financial Statements - Here's What Matters
We obtained Prospa NZ's audited accounts from the Companies Office for the year ended June 2025. Four things stood out to us that are relevant to any small-to-medium-sized business considering applying for a loan:
  • They're financially healthy: Prospa NZ is profitable and has positive equity. We believe a stable, well-capitalised lender is more likely to treat you fairly and work with you if your circumstances change.
  • They have money to lend: Prospa secured $190 million in new funding for SMEs in late 2025. When they say they can fund your loan quickly, they have the capacity to do it.
  • They're reinvesting, not extracting: Prospa NZ paid no dividends - profits are being kept in the business, suggesting a commitment to growing their lending operation.
  • They're part of a larger group: Prospa NZ is backed by its parent company, which has funded over $4 billion in small-business loans across Australia and New Zealand since launching its SME lending service in 2012. 

Prospa offers three flexible options:
Prospa has funded 50,000+ NZ business loans and lines of credit, with over $4 billion delivered. Based on consistent reader feedback, our view is that Prospa funds faster, requires less security, and actually wants to help businesses grow

Frequently Asked Questions

Know this: Missing a payment on a business loan will have severe consequences for the going concern of your business. Lenders may request your business is put into administration. Any delayed payments may make borrowing in the future far more difficult as well. 

If you have security over your business loan, the security will be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments. 

What is the maximum limit for a small business loan?

It depends on the size of your business, but generally, unsecured loans can be as high as $75,000, and for small businesses, a $200,000 secured loan is not unusual. Different businesses attract different lending terms, so the only thing that matters is how much your business can borrow.​

Where can I get the best small business loan deal and terms?

  • Our guide to small business loans explains everything you need to know, and popular alternatives. We also review Prospa who specialises in business loans.
  • Our guide to business credit cards outlines current offers available, and why business credit cards can be a low-cost alternative to applying for a business loan.
  • Having a good personal credit history is important - our guide to credit scores and reporting explains what you need to know.
Related guides: