1.
Tell us what you need
A short online form — what the loan is for, how much, and how to reach you. A few minutes, and nothing is committed.
What does better finance™ do?
We're not a bank and we're not a single lender. better finance™ is a team of financial advisers. You tell us once what you need, and we go looking across our lender panel for a loan that fits your situation — then we handle the back-and-forth for you.
- One application, checked across our panel of lenders
- Advisers licensed to give you financial advice - not a call centre
- We handle the paperwork and the follow-ups with the lender
- No cost to talk to us about your options
What can we help you make happen?
Big plans, small ones, and the unexpected. Here's where Kiwis most often use us.
Buy a Vehicle
Consolidate Debt
Renovate your Home
Buy a Boat or Jetski
Plan a Wedding
Book a Holiday
We can also help you...
Motorbikes
Caravans
Medical and dental costs
...and more
Is this going to work for me?
Applying with us is straightforward. Here's what we'll need from you:
- You're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- You're 18 or over
- You know your after-tax income - weekly, fortnightly or monthly
- You have your employment details handy
We use this to understand your situation and match you with a suitable lender. Every application goes through an affordability assessment, and approval is subject to the lender's criteria - so we'll always tell you where you stand.
FAQ
The questions we get asked most
How are you different to a bank?
A bank can only offer you its own loans. We're financial advisers, so we're not tied to one lender — we take your application to our panel of 10 lenders and look for one that suits your situation. That's one application instead of several, and it costs you nothing to talk to us about your options. We hold a Financial Advice Provider licence, which means our advisers are bound to put your interests first.
Does applying affect my credit score?
Starting an application with us doesn't affect your credit score. We check your situation against our lender panel first to review your options. A credit enquiry is only recorded once a lender is choosen and we submit it to that lender.
How much can I borrow?
That depends on your income, your outgoings and any commitments you already have — every application goes through an affordability assessment. Across our lender panel, loans generally run from $3,000 to $100,000 The calculator on this page gives you a rough idea, and your adviser will talk through what's realistic once they've looked at your situation properly.
How is my interest rate decided?
Three things, mostly: which lender your loan ends up with, your own circumstances — credit history, income, how settled your work is — and whether the loan is secured against something like a vehicle. Secured loans can carry a lower rate than unsecured ones. Your rate is fixed for the term, so your repayments don't move.
What fees will I pay?
We'd rather you saw these upfront than found them later. An establishment fee of up to $395 and an Introducer fee of up to $995. A PPSR fee of between $0 and $14, where the loan is secured. Some lenders also charge ongoing service fees. Every fee that applies to your loan is set out in your loan contract before you sign anything.
How long does it take to get the money?
The application form takes a few minutes. Your adviser will come back to you with the options that suit, and if you're approved and happy to go ahead, you sign online. Funds are typically transferred within twenty-four hours, and sometimes the same day. How fast it moves depends on how quickly we get the information we need from you and on the lender.