Personal Loans to help with Renovations, Debt Consolidation, Weddings, Holidays and more…

Personal Loans are a cost-effective way to make smaller purchases without adding the expense to a high interest credit card, increasing your mortgage or turning to a pay day lender. The last thing you want to do is risk adversely affecting your credit rating, so a personal loan is a much better option for most.

Platform Direct Finance offers both secured and unsecured personal loans, giving you the option to provide an asset against the loan as security. Generally, the interest rate will be lower with a secured loan, as the lender considers the risk to be lower.

With our wide range of personal loans, you can borrow between $2,001 and $70,000 depending on the purpose of the loan. With over 40 lenders on our panel, we’ll work hard to find the right loan product for you.

What can I finance with a personal loan?

You may have personal goals or projects that require a bit more cash to turn it into a reality. We can help with personal loans for:

  • Debt Consolidation
  • Home Improvements and Renovations
  • Home Furnishings and Technology
  • Education Fees
  • Holidays
  • Weddings
  • Dental Work
  • Medical Procedures
  • Gap Finance
  • Legal Fees

Debt Consolidation Example

With interest rates at an all-time low, there has never been a better time to review your finances and consider consolidating multiple loans into one simple repayment.

If you have a couple of credit cards, an old car loan and a personal loan with a high fixed interest rate, you could save thousands a year on repayments. Consolidating your debt into one competitive loan with a single lender could reduce your interest payments, fees and repayments considerably.

Common example:
Credit Card (spouse 1) = $5,500
Personal Loan (spouse 1) = $11,000
Credit Card (spouse 2) = $2,800
Car Loan (spouse 2) = $6,500
TOTAL DEBT = $25,800

• All with different Lenders
• All with different repayment schedules
• All with varying interest rates

Refinancing these four loans into one could reduce your interest rate and your repayments, saving you thousands over the life of the loan.

Home Improvement Example

A personal loan can be an ideal option for smaller renovations or home improvement projects under $50,000. It can allow you to finally build that deck you have always wanted, or renovate your dated bathroom, or just give your house a facelift with a new coat of paint.

Utilising a personal loan means you won’t have to access the equity that you have worked hard to build-up in your home loan. You can also avoid redrawing on the extra repayments that you have made on your mortgage.

Personal loans also often have a lower interest rate than credit cards, and there is no need to provide collateral if you choose an unsecured loan.

 

If you would like to talk to one of our finance experts, call us on 1300 554 553 or visit our Personal Loans page or enquire below today. We are here to help.

 

Personal Loan Enquiry

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Phase 2 of Government scheme opens further credit opportunities for SMEs

While it seems the current climate may result in tightened lending conditions, there is still good news for businesses.

The Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme is allowing many otherwise viable SMEs access to additional funding to survive the impact of COVID-19, recover and invest for the future.

The Australian government is guaranteeing 50% of new loans made by eligible lenders to SMEs, to a total amount of up to $40 billion. This is intended to improve banks’ readiness and ability to provide credit, as well as lower interest rates.

What does it mean for me?

In the second phase of the scheme, which started on 1st October 2020, you’re able to apply for both secured and unsecured loans of up to $1 million, for terms of up to five years with a possible initial six month repayment holiday (at the discretion of your lender).

SMEs will be able to access the scheme to use loans for more than just working capital (so that a wider range of investment can be funded) – and secured lending will be permitted (excluding commercial or residential property).

In phase two, the maximum loan term has also increased from a three-year limit, to five years.

You have until 30 June 2021 to take advantage of the scheme.

Am I eligible?

All active Australian businesses with turnover of less than $50 million in the previous financial year, or expected turnover of less than $50 million in the current financial year, are eligible to apply for loans under the Scheme.

Both self-employed individuals and non-profit businesses are eligible, providing they meet the turnover requirements.

How do I apply?

First, contact your broker at Platform Direct Finance. We can help you make sure you’re eligible and prepare your application. The lender will then decide on whether to extend the credit. It’s that easy.

Other support

If your business has been affected by COVID-19 but you don’t want to take out a loan, the Government has also introduced a range of other measures to support businesses. You can find more information on other forms of government assistance available here, or speak with your broker to find out which initiatives may benefit you.

This article was originally published by OneAffiniti.com

The Facts about Equipment Finance

What is Equipment Finance?

Equipment finance is the funding of all types of equipment used predominantly for business use. By funding the equipment over terms up to 5 years, it allows businesses to finance capital purchases without effecting their working capital.

Why use Equipment Finance?

  • Deal size range from $5,000 to multimillion-dollar transactions
  • Can be used for all business structures
  • Applicable to all industries
  • Can be used for start-up businesses
  • Efficient approval and settlement
  • Funding for 100% of the purchase price, including GST
  • Terms up to 5 years (7 years in certain circumstances)
  • No additional property security or registered mortgage debentures required (in nearly all cases)
  • Fixed repayments for the term
  • Tailored monthly payments

Types of Equipment that can be Financed:

  • Yellow Goods – Earthmoving, Construction, Mining and Machinery
  • Agricultural Equipment – Tractors, Headers, Sprayers, Air Seeders and Hay Balers
  • Medical Equipment – Diagnostic Instruments, Endoscope Technology and Imaging Systems
  • Haulage Equipment – Prime Movers, Tray Trucks, Refrigerated Pantechs and Tipper Trailers
  • Marine – Yachts, Pleasure Craft, Commercial Fishing Boats, Charter Boats
  • Specialised Equipment – Gym Equipment, Solar Systems
  • Office Equipment – Computers, Software, Furniture, Printers and Phone Systems
  • Automotive – Cars, Utes, Trucks and Trailers

What Finance Products are available?

Equipment Lease

With an asset lease agreement, you lease the equipment from the lender and pay a fixed amount each month for its use. At the conclusion of the contract, you can take ownership of the equipment by paying off the residual on the lease, refinance and extend the lease term, or sell the equipment. A major advantage to the asset lease method is that it does not appear on your accounting books as an asset, potentially saving you some extra cash in tax.

Chattel Mortgage

The lender will give you the entire amount for the equipment, allowing you to purchase it outright. However, you will have to pay the loan back in instalments, much like a mortgage on a house. The purchased piece of machinery is security on the loan. Once the loan has been paid off, you retain ownership of the equipment.

Equipment Rental

With an equipment rental, the lender purchases the equipment and rents it back to you. At the end of the agreement you may renew the lease agreement, purchase the equipment or hand the equipment back to the lender.

The advantage of renting the equipment is particularly useful when you are renting equipment that only has a short lifespan eg. laptops. In addition, all payments are tax deductible.

Always consult your Financial Advisor or Accountant prior to making any decisions on the product that will suit you.

Benefits of Equipment Finance

  • Improves cash flow as you are making regular, fixed repayments rather than buying outright
  • Improves working capital
  • Avoids the need to invest capital/cash in equipment but still allows the business to operate effectively
  • Maximises business efficiency

There are a number of different ways to finance your equipment purchases. At Platform Direct we can help untangle the web of different products, terms and structures to provide you with clear options that suit your business needs. Contact our helpful consultants today.

Rental contract vs chattel mortgage: which is best for you?

Getting ready to ramp up your business to make the most of the reopening economy? You may need to invest in updated equipment – vehicles, machinery or computer systems, for example – in order to maximise your benefit from the reawakening of commerce. But it’s now more important than ever before to protect your working capital and look at alternative forms of finance for your capital expenditure.

Two forms of finance you might consider are a rental contract and a chattel mortgage. Which one is going to serve you best?

Rental contract

During the term of a rental contract, your business will not own the asset it is using. The asset is purchased by the finance provider and leased to your business. When the rental contract ends you may have three options (depending on the type of lease):

Purchase the asset from the bank or a third party, should they chose to sell, for the agreed market value
Renew the lease for a further period
Take out a new lease on a new asset and return the asset to the bank or a third party

Chattel mortgage

Also known as a Specific Security Agreement, a chattel mortgage is a loan to your business to buy an asset, with the loan secured only on the asset being purchased. Your business owns the asset from day one.

Pros & cons of a rental contract

When you lease an asset you avoid a major drain on your working capital, especially important if you will only need to use it for a short time. It means, too, that you get to use the latest equipment (such as a truck with advanced fuel economy and safety features) and up-to-the-minute technology (e.g. laptops for your employees to facilitate remote working). Meanwhile, the finance provider, not you, takes the risk that the asset will be ageing, if not obsolete, by the time the lease agreement ends.

On the downside, you won’t own the asset while the rental contract lasts.

From a tax viewpoint, you can claim a deduction for the net monthly payments as well as a credit for the GST portion of the payments.

Pros & cons of a chattel mortgage

A chattel mortgage is a reasonably flexible finance option. You can borrow up to 100% of the purchase price, or reduce your loan repayments by providing a substantial deposit. It’s also possible to structure repayments so that the larger drains on funds come at times when your cash flow is more able to cope.

Unfortunately, because you own the asset, your business is responsible for maintaining it (you are also required to maintain the asset under a rental unless it is a fully maintained rental which has a service element), insuring it, and risking that it may rapidly become outdated.

A GST input credit applicable to the full purchase price can be claimed immediately when you purchase the asset, while loan interest charges and annual depreciation are tax deductions against your business income.

So which one is best for your business?

Your choice of rental contract or chattel mortgage will depend to a large extent on the asset’s type, cost and lifespan, and whether you prefer to claim an upfront GST credit and annual depreciation, or spread your tax deductions over the life of a lease.

A finance lease, which has a relatively low interest rate, can be an ideal alternative to a chattel mortgage for high-value, long-lifespan assets such as commercial vehicles and medical equipment. Since the finance provider is claiming the GST input tax credit, the amount you need to finance is lower than it would be with a chattel mortgage, and repayments can be structured to suit your cash flow.

On the other hand, a rental may be more suitable for quickly outdated IT and telecommunications assets, since you can immediately upgrade to a more up-to-date model (without having to dispose of the old one) when the lease period ends.

This article was originally published by OneAffiniti.com

 

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Platinum Rebrand To Platform Direct Finance

This week, car and equipment finance solution experts Platinum Direct Finance becomes Platform Direct Finance. Whether you’re a current customer or have previously had a loan with us, you can rest assured that while our name has changed, our great service and product offerings have not.

As a bigger provider, Platform Direct Finance can pass on the benefits of our stronger purchasing power to help you secure better finance solutions, interest rates and tailored repayment options. We are the same trusted partner, just with a new look and name.

With Platform Direct Finance, enjoy the benefits of direct access to:

 

Over 40 lenders – Australia’s largest panel of financiers
Access to a huge choice of car and equipment finance products
Honest advice and support from experienced professionals
Our own in-house car buying service
Your own online client portal for applications

If you need asset finance for business or pleasure, get in touch with us today for on-the-spot repayment quotes for items such as trucks, office equipment, machinery, boats, jet skis, forklifts, motorbikes, caravans and cars.

With the current low interest rates, you may be able to upgrade to a newer model for less than your current repayments! Platform Direct Finance is the same reliable, professional finance partner – now with a new name and look.

Our team is here to help you find the best solution for your car and equipment finance needs. Please contact us, we’re here to assist.

Brad Crinion
CEO
Platform Direct Finance

Your quick guide to car finance

For many of us, paying cash upfront for a new car isn’t an option. But thanks to car finance, you can have your new car and drive it too. Here’s how it works.

The process

Step 1 – Your details

A potential lender needs to know you are who you say you are and that you can afford to pay back the loan. So you’ll need to provide ID, income and bank statements, as well as details about your credit history. Your application will then be assessed and the lender will let you know whether your loan’s been approved or not.

Step 2 – The contract

Once your loan’s been approved you’ll need to sign a contract. It’ll outline what you’re borrowing, over what period and what terms and conditions apply. Take your time to read it over and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.

Step 3 – The transfer

So your loan’s been approved and the contract’s been signed. The lender will then transfer the loan amount either directly to the current car owner’s bank account or to the new car dealership so you can pay for your new car.

Step 4 – Possession

Once the car’s been paid for and you’ve taken delivery, you’re deemed to be in possession of the vehicle. You’re now required to pay back your loan over the agreed time frame. All the relevant info about interest rates and repayment amounts and frequency will be outlined in your contract, along with any additional fees or charges that may apply during the life of the loan.

Who should get a car loan?

If you plan to use your car for predominantly personal purposes and novated leasing isn’t an option, or you need a car for work or business, a car loan might be right for you. To ensure you find the finance deal that’s perfect for you, give our expert team a call. They can help you sort through your options and find the finance that best suits your budget, needs and lifestyle. We’re ready to talk when you are!

0% finance deals – Too good to be true?

0% finance deals may sound like a great idea, but they’re not always everything they’re cracked up to be. Here are some of the common catches to be on the lookout for.

Sales bait

Let’s keep it real – 0% finance deals are designed to get you into a showroom, not to give you a great deal. So you shouldn’t be surprised to find they often only apply to less popular models or those about to be replaced by a newer version. They’re also usually only available for a limited time, allowing salespeople to pile on the pressure while restricting your freedom of choice.

Less flexibility

Although 0% finance deals state they’re ‘interest free’, the reality is somewhat different. Finance providers still need to make money, so instead of spreading the interest over a set number of repayments, they factor it into the upfront cost of the car. Consequently, you’ll find dealers won’t be flexible on the price of the vehicle or provide a particularly generous trade-in, meaning you pay more than you need to.

Restrictive terms

As well as being available for a ‘limited time’, 0% finance deals are often spread over a shorter period (3 years is pretty average). The result? Your monthly repayments may be higher than they’d be with a longer-term loan and higher interest rate. The structure of the finance may also be less flexible, giving you little (if any) room to move when it comes to loan terms and balloon payments.

Talk to the experts

To avoid finding yourself in a sticky financial situation, talk to us first. With access to over 30 reputable lenders, we can have your pre-approval done and dusted within 24 hours. Whether you’re buying through a dealer or private sale, we can find the finance that’s perfectly suited to your needs, giving you more time to find your dream car, and less time worrying about how to pay for it. Give us a call today to get started.

Get the finance your business needs to continue succeeding

Getting finance is a critical aspect to both maintaining and expanding a successful business, but it can also seem like a very daunting process.

Although it is often hard to know where to start, it doesn’t need to be complicated.

Here are a few simple tips to help you secure the finance you need:

 

Keep your books up to date

It is important to spend an hour or two every week checking your accounts and keeping your books up to date.

Having your accounts as current as possible is vital when you’re looking to secure finance as this is also one of the first things a lender asks to see. Ultimately, it’s no good having a booming business if you don’t have any evidence to prove that this is the case.

Don’t fall into the trap of putting this off. If you land a job and require equipment urgently, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity because your books were too out of date for your finance to be approved in time.

 

Justifying your finance application

There are two parts to this. Firstly you have to be able to prove that you have the financial means to stay on top of your repayments, without having to resort to any drastic measures.

Secondly, you must be able to show that it’s an expense that makes sense for your business. For example, a utility vehicle is likely to be a logical purchase for someone who works in construction, whereas they’ll have a much harder time proving they need a top-of-the-line industrial sewing machine.

If you can justify the size of the loan required and that your business needs what it wants to get financed, you should be well on your way.

 

Structure your debt right

It is important to ensure your debt is structured in a way that makes sense.

If you are financing a piece of equipment you’ll need for three years, it’s best to structure the loan and repayments on a similar timeline. While a longer timeline, such as five years, will make life easy at the start of the loan with lower repayments, it can become difficult when the project is done and the asset is no longer generating any income.

 

Equity is money in the bank

Building equity is one of the best ways to make your business appealing to a potential lender.

While cash flow is king the more assets you own improves your chances to secure finance for any future equipment purchases.

You should therefore aim to pay off debt as quickly as possible and build your equity. It may not be as immediately accessible as cash, but it is seen as evidence of a well-run business, and will ultimately help minimise your long-term repayments.

 

If you need finance for your business vehicles or equipment, contact us today and our expert brokers will find the right product and loan structure for you.

This article was originally published by OneAffiniti.com

The Secret to Smarter Car Buying

Dreaming of a new car, but dreading endless Saturdays stuck in showrooms? Hate the thought of haggling for the best deal? Slightly suspicious of slick salespeople? We hear you. Here’s why it’s the best way to buy your new car.

Access our exclusive network

You know what you want, you just don’t have time to get out there and find it. But thanks to our extensive database of dealers, we can source your new car in half the time. Simply let us know what make and model you’re after, we’ll contact our network and get back to you with the best price and delivery option. Seriously, it’s that easy.

Deals & discounts

As a solo car buyer, you never quite know whether you’re getting the best deal. But our dealers know they’re quoting on a genuine sale, so they’ll go the extra mile to get your business. That means prices usually reserved for fleet buyers and savings that can stretch into the thousands. We can also get you a great deal on your trade-in, softening the hit to your hip pocket.

Honest, independent advice

Our car buyers seriously know their stuff. So you can trust their expert advice is just that. And because they have no affiliation with specific dealerships or manufacturers, you can rest assured they’ll get you the best possible deal, regardless of who’s offering it.

Your dream car delivered to your door

We don’t like to stuff around, so along with the best possible price, we also get you the best possible delivery time. We also know you probably want to hit the streets right away, so we’ll deliver your new ride direct to your door, along with a full tank of petrol. Winning.

Ready to get cracking?

Our expert car buyers are raring to go. For more information on our car buying service, or for a quote on your dream car, get in touch.

We’ll find the car and the deal that suits you.

This article was originally published by OneAffiniti.com 

The 5 Simple Steps to Obtaining the Best Car Loan for You

Buying a car is always an important financial decision. For most people, it will be the biggest financial decision they ever have to make aside from their mortgage. That’s why it’s always best to be as prepared as possible if you want to get the right deal.

Unless you are lucky enough to have the assets to buy a car outright, the likelihood is that you will have to take out a car loan so you can afford to drive it off the lot.

To help you through this process, we’ve compiled five simple steps to help you get out on the open road quickly and smoothly.

1. Think before you apply

While it is always good to shop around for the best deal, don’t apply for your financing until you’ve found the most competitive deal. Every time you apply for a loan, credit reporting bodies make a note and this can negatively affect your credit score. Also, if the financing companies see you have applied for multiple loans in a short period of time they might consider you a high risk, and will reject your applications.

Never apply for multiple loans at once to see what happens. Take your time, check out your credit report to make sure everything is in order, and then apply once you’ve found the best rates.

2. Read the Small Print

A simple point, and one that is drilled into us over and over again. You probably won’t be surprised by the amount of people who don’t bother reading all the Terms & Conditions, but you will be surprised about how much you can miss out on if you skip this step.

For example, some companies add administration and arrangement charges in addition to interest rates – so unless you want to get surprised by hidden fees that you hadn’t budgeted for, make sure you understand every aspect of your contract.

It would be an untrustworthy company, however, that didn’t run through any details on your loan contract on request. If you need a hand understanding the jargon, or just want to double check the terms, ask your provider to help you, or contact a car loan expert.

3. Get your financed approved before you enter the shop?

Having a finance deal pre-approved when you enter a dealership will put you in a much better bargaining position and will speed up the buying process. You will also save money as local dealerships cannot compete with the rates offered by brokers that specialise in car financing.

4. Consider Buying New

I know it is tempting to buy a used car, but it becomes a lot easier to get financing if you are purchasing a shiny new car. While this will cost you more than buying used, you could get a better car loan deal for the price, as well as a manufacturer’s warranty just in case you need it.

Finance companies understandably view older vehicles as an increased risk when compared to newer ones. Older used cars could have hidden issues with them, are worth considerably less than new cars, and are harder to sell, which makes for less attractive collateral for the finance company.

5. Pre-prepare your paperwork

This is not just the first line of a tongue twister. If you can approach your chosen car loan company with all your paperwork ready to go you can reduce the time you’re waiting to be approved, as well as save a load of emailing back and forth. To increase your chance of being approved for a loan you will need proof of employment, such as payslips, a detailed employment and residential history for the last 3 years, and photographic ID such as your passport or driver’s license. If you can show you save money regularly and have a steady job, it will make your job getting approved for a loan much easier.

Hopefully, if you follow all these steps you should have no problem getting approved for the loan you deserve so you can drive away in your brand new car as soon as possible.

If you need any more help getting approved for a loan, get in touch with one of our knowledgeable consultants.

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