# Pioneer Finance review: business loan rates, fees and terms > Pioneer Finance lends New Zealand businesses $1,000 to $100,000 at fixed rates of 9.95% to 22.95% a year, with terms up to 7 years against property. Here are its fees, who qualifies and how it compares. By Jason Dark, last checked 2026-11-06. Part of [Lenders](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/lenders) on Skipper. ## The short version - Pioneer Finance lends $1,000 to $100,000 to New Zealand businesses at fixed rates of 9.95% to 22.95% a year. - Pioneer charges a $195 establishment fee, or $375 for complex loans, plus $9 a month. - How long you can borrow for depends on the security, from 2 years against an older vehicle to 7 years against property. - Pioneer has been lending since 1995. Once your loan is approved and signed, the funds are usually paid out on the same business day. ## Is Pioneer Finance a good lender for your business? Pioneer Finance suits small businesses that want to borrow up to $100,000 and know the cost upfront. Unlike many finance companies, Pioneer publishes its rates and fees. Pioneer lends against property, vehicles, boats and business assets, and some applicants can get unsecured loans. Pioneer has been lending since 1995. The company is based in Auckland but serves businesses throughout New Zealand. Most of the application process is done online, by email or over the phone. ## What Pioneer Finance lends | Product | Amount | Term | Who qualifies | Security | Speed | Cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Business loan | $1,000 to $100,000 (its calculator starts at $2,000) | 1 month to 7 years; the longest terms need property as security | Aged 18 or over and an NZ citizen, permanent resident or sometimes a work visa holder, with 3 months of bank statements and your latest financial accounts | Property, vehicles, boats, business assets or household goods; unsecured for some applicants | Funds usually paid the same business day once approved and signed | Fixed rates of 9.95% to 22.95% a year, a $195 to $375 establishment fee and a $9 monthly admin fee; its rates table says no early repayment fee | You can use Pioneer's business loans for cash flow, stock, wages, contractors, vehicles, machinery or IT and phone systems. Most are standard term loans, where you repay both interest and principal. Some shorter-term loans may be interest only. ## How long you can borrow for The length of your loan depends on the type of security you provide: - property: up to 7 years - a vehicle less than 10 years old: up to 4 years - a vehicle more than 10 years old: up to 3 years - a vehicle more than 18 years old: up to 2 years - a boat or jet ski: up to 3 years ## Who qualifies To qualify, you need to be over 18 and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Some work visa holders may also be eligible. You'll need to provide ID, proof of address, your last 3 months of bank statements and your latest financial accounts. If you use property as security, Pioneer may also ask for a rates notice or mortgage statement. Pioneer checks your credit with Equifax, Centrix or illion, and says a few issues in your credit history won't always stop you from getting a loan. ## What Pioneer Finance costs Pioneer's fixed interest rates are between 9.95% and 22.95% a year. The establishment fee is $195 for a standard loan or $375 for a complex loan, such as debt consolidation, impaired credit or unusual security. There's also a $9 monthly administration fee. If you use property as security, registering a caveat costs about $190, and removing it costs the same. A broker may charge up to 5% of the loan amount, with a maximum of $2,500. Pioneer's rates page says there's no early repayment fee. However, you may still need to pay any break costs from its funders and the cost of releasing the security. A worked example on Pioneer's business page shows a 37% rate for a 12-month unsecured loan, which is higher than the published range, so be sure to get your rate in writing before signing. If you miss payments, Pioneer adds 5% a year to your rate on the overdue amount and charges default fees. Pioneer's own calculator uses a rate of 13.95% a year. At that rate, a $50,000 loan over 3 years costs about $1,708 a month and $11,476 in interest, plus fees. You can try different rates and terms in the [business loan calculator](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/tools/business-loan-calculator). ## How Pioneer Finance compares Pioneer's highest rate of 22.95% is lower than most [unsecured online lenders](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/loans/unsecured-business-loans) charge, and Pioneer accepts more types of security. [Lending Room](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/lenders/lending-room), a broker, publishes rates from 8.99% to 29.95%. [Line Capital](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/lenders/line-capital) lends up to $500,000, starting at 16% a year, but requires 18 months of trading. You can find all published rates in the [business loan interest rates guide](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/loans/business-loan-interest-rates). These details come from Pioneer Finance's website, checked on 6 November 2026. ## Common questions ### What interest rate does Pioneer Finance charge on business loans? Pioneer publishes fixed rates between 9.95% and 22.95% a year. The rate you receive depends on your application and the security you provide. ### What fees does Pioneer Finance charge? The establishment fee is $195 for a standard loan or $375 for a complex loan, plus a $9 monthly administration fee. Registering a caveat over property costs about $190, and removing it costs the same. ### Can I get a Pioneer Finance business loan with bad credit? Possibly. Pioneer checks your credit with Equifax, Centrix or illion, and says it may still be able to help if you have a few issues in your credit history. Applications with impaired credit are treated as complex loans and have a $375 establishment fee. ## Sources - [Pioneer Finance: Business loans](https://pioneerfinance.co.nz/business) - [Pioneer Finance: Interest rates and fees](https://pioneerfinance.co.nz/important-information/interest-rates-and-fees)