How Do Business Loans Work?

Accepting payments, managing your finances, and paying recipients should be simple. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Our research shows the majority of Australian business owners are dissatisfied with their business banking. The truth is, most merchant services solutions aren’t built to help your business thrive. That’s where Zeller comes in. Today, we’re launching Zeller — giving Australian merchants affordable, accessible, and innovative tools that enable businesses to get paid, access their money, and manage cash flow — without ever having to set foot inside a bank. We’re reimagining business banking through powerful new technology, backed up by local support and personalised service. An innovative SME alternative to business banking “Innovative” isn’t a word usually heard in the context of merchant services. Finding integrated financial solutions to grow and support your business often requires you to weave together multiple products from different providers, which typically means longer processing times, more paperwork, and a more frustrating experience. Large enterprises benefit from financial solutions tailored to their specific needs; traditional banks have shown that they’re more than willing to pour resources into supporting big business. However, this comes at a cost to the everyday Aussies behind our small to medium sized businesses. SME owners are typically forced to fit the traditional banking mold, suffering through archaic onboarding processes only to be hit with high fees, lock-in contracts, and slow processing times when the paperwork is complete. For new business owners, this can present what seems like an insurmountable hurdle to starting and growing a venture. With 67% of businesses stating they would prefer a non-Big 4 bank, it’s clear that Australian business banking is fundamentally broken. A lack of innovation from the incumbents means merchants like you are overlooked and underserved, at a time when they should be thriving. Businesses need new tools, technology, and support to grow. And that’s why we built Zeller. What’s in the box Zeller is all-in-one payments and finance solution for Australian businesses. It helps to accelerate your business cash flow by giving you a next-generation EFTPOS terminal, a free business transaction account, and free business Mastercard, all in one box. 1. Zeller Terminal Our research revealed that 71% of business owners using clunky EFTPOS terminals regularly consider switching providers. High costs and expensive fees, slow deposits that impact cash flow, and a lack of local support are all common reasons for businesses looking to switch. The majority of Australian business owners are dissatisfied with outdated EFTPOS technology currently on the market. Zeller Terminal is an all-in-one card payment and EFTPOS solution. Our next-gen payment terminal allows you to accept every payment from every customer – Zeller Terminal accepts contactless devices, contactless cards, chip cards, magstripe cards, and will soon also accept alternative payment methods such as Alipay and ZipPay. As new payment methods continue to emerge and shape the way Australians pay for products and services, Zeller Terminal will adapt to support Australian businesses to grow. Read more about Zeller Terminal . 2. Zeller Transaction Account We understand that being able to effectively manage and access your cash flow is key to the long-term survival of your business.  That’s why we make sure your funds are available as quickly as possible after taking payment from a customer. Zeller Transaction Account is included free when you sign up for Zeller. Your account is instantly ready to use, giving you real-time visibility over your settlements and spending — no lengthy paperwork required. When you take payment through Zeller Terminal, funds are settled directly into your free Zeller Transaction Account within the day. You also have the option of sweeping your funds into any existing bank account, and they’ll be accessible as soon as your bank allows. Read more about Zeller Transaction Account . 3. Zeller Mastercard By giving you the tools to accept payments, store and settle funds, and spend your money, we're significantly reducing the time it takes for you to get access to your funds. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 60% of small businesses close within their first three years — and the most cited cause for business failure is poor cash flow. As a business owner, fast access to your funds to pay your staff, suppliers, or buy product, is imperative. Read more about Zeller Mastercard . By seamlessly combining these services into a fully integrated solution, Zeller significantly reduces the time businesses spend on finding a merchant services provider, completing lengthy applications, getting set up, and connecting disparate payments and financial services solutions — all while speeding up your business’s cash flow. Watch the video to see how Zeller works in more detail. Your business, your way Merchant services should work the way your business needs, allowing you to pick and choose the business banking products you need to sustain and grow a profitable business. With Zeller, you have the option to choose the parts you need – Zeller Terminal, Zeller Transaction Account, and Zeller Mastercard work just as powerfully together as an integrated solution as they do alongside your existing products. Learn more about our EFTPOS machines and how our newly launched products are changing business banking for the better.

What is necessary to open a business account? To open a business transaction account , you’ll need to provide: certified copies of identification documents, such as a passport or driver’s licence details of your business proof your business exists, such as a website and social media profiles Additional documents may be required if your business operates under a particular structure.  For example, if your business operates under a trust, documents identifying the beneficiaries of that trust may be required for account verification. Further, traditional banks often require you to visit a bank branch in person in order to set up a business account. Wondering how to set up a business account, or how to open a transaction account online? The easiest way is to sign up for Zeller. In just 5 minutes, most businesses can be up and running with a free Zeller Transaction Account . Once set up, you can create as many accounts as you like to separate business funds — and link each to a Zeller Debit Card for simple, trackable spending. Let’s dive deeper into the details, so that you can make an informed decision about the best account for your business. What is a business account? A business account is an account traditionally offered by incumbent banks. In recent years, digital banks and neobanks have introduced similar offerings. Business bank accounts offer a single place to accept deposits and make payments, while keeping your business and personal finances separate. A transaction account enables you to do the same. A business account itself is pretty straightforward. Different banks and alternative providers offer additional features and services, on top of the base offering, which usually come with extra costs. Fees including, but not limited to, monthly account fees and minimum deposit fees are important to keep in mind. Focus on finding an account that aligns with your specific needs in order to keep fees to a minimum. Why open a business account? There are a multitude of benefits that come with opening a separate account for business purposes. For one, setting up a business account can make bookkeeping less of a headache — especially at tax time. A business account also helps you stay in line with the relevant government rules and regulations. The Australian Taxation Office stipulates that ventures operating as a company, partnership or trust must have a business account for tax compliance. And, while sole traders don’t face the same requirement, a business account provides the same benefit of keeping personal and professional transactions separate. Once your business account is set up, you’ll have a clear path to sharing important information with your accountant or handling your tax obligations yourself. Business accounts also give you a clear view of your business finances. All of the relevant transactions are tracked in one place, making it straightforward to look at recent activity and identify any potential areas for concern. Opening a business account also helps your company appear more mature and professional. While customers won’t notice the difference at the point of sale, they will likely see it when reviewing their monthly statement. The legitimacy a business account offers can also encourage suppliers and vendors to form a relationship with you. When you hear the term “business bank account”, it’s usually in reference to a transaction account. This type of account is used to make and receive business payments on a daily basis. A business savings account is another type of business bank account, very similar to a personal savings account. These types of accounts serve as a place to deposit and hold money for longer periods of time. Who can open a business account? Banks and other providers of financial services have a number of rules and security measures in place to make sure anyone attempting to open a business account is doing so in good faith — and is eligible to receive one in the first place. The requirements for opening a business account are strictly defined but straightforward, at least as far as the highly regulated world of banking is concerned. You may be asked to provide a variety of documents and information to prove your business is legitimate and eligible for an account. This mostly involves things you likely have on hand right now or can quickly access, such as your company’s full name, Australian Business Number, and tax file number. The physical and registered address of a business are also commonly requested. You will also need to identify key parties, including both company directors and any employees who will access the account. You, your partners, and potentially your staff may need to produce passports or a certified copy of drivers licences. When should I open a business account? Opening a business bank account makes everything from tax time to accepting customer payments easier. As Australians increasingly move to using debit and credit cards for everyday purchases, this will only become more important. A business account is foundational for smoothly processing card and online payments and keeping track of your business’s finances. You should be looking to set up a business account as soon as you’ve set your business in motion. You’ll need to set aside some time to gather the needed documents and information, but accounts that offer online registration will save you precious hours (and, in some cases, days). You’ll also need to give some thought to the impact any fees will have on your budget. To save on fees, look for providers who are upfront about the costs of using their platform. How can I open a business account? Understanding how to open a business transaction account and set it up correctly is crucial. It streamlines day-to-day management of your finances and makes your business appear more professional. And, in many cases, a business account isn’t just a smart idea — it’s a requirement. You have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a business account. There are traditional banks, of course, but their offerings don’t always align with the needs of modern business owners. High fees, excessive paperwork, and long application processes can sap your energy, turning what should be a basic task into a drawn-out process. These are just some of the reasons why Australian Businesses aren’t satisfied with the Big 4 banks — and why we built Zeller. We’re reimagining business banking for Australian merchants. With Zeller, you can sign up in minutes and begin taking payment. Discover how our fee-free Zeller Transaction Account , used in conjunction with Zeller Terminal and Zeller Debit Card , can help accelerate your cash flow and grow your business.

Gone are the days when managing your money was synonymous with paperwork, bank tellers, and hidden fees. Enter the new age of business finance with Zeller. In the same way that video streaming platforms replaced movie rental shops, online-only financial service solutions are rapidly becoming the preferred alternative to traditional, outdated business banks. While the idea of perusing aisles of dusty DVDs may fill us with a warm nostalgia, no one is mourning the loss of queuing at the bank. Zeller is one such digital financial institution tailored to Australian businesses. From securely storing and saving your funds to paying employees, invoices and bills, Zeller’s free  Transaction Account has everything you’ve come to expect from a traditional bank account, but with less fuss, and more features designed with the unique needs of business owners in mind. If you’re tired of inefficient processes, paperwork, and complex fee schedules, here’s ten reasons why you should make the switch to a Zeller Transaction Account today. 1. It takes less than 6 minutes to sign up. If you’re 18 years or older, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or are a Sole Trader, you’ll be able to sign up in a matter of minutes. The process to sign up for a Zeller Account is simple, and done entirely online. All you’ll need is a current passport or Australian drivers’ licence. Once your identity has been verified, you’ll be able to create your own Zeller Transaction Account – with a BSB and account number – as well as your Zeller Dashboard, where you can access and manage all other Zeller services. For more complex business types such as a trust or company, our team may reach out to you to request some additional information. 2. It’s free. Once your Transaction Account is up and running, there are no monthly fees, and no lock-in contracts. You will only ever pay a fee if you choose to start accepting payments via Zeller EFTPOS Terminal (1.4% per in-person payment, or 1.7% for over-the-phone payments) and/or Zeller Invoices (1.7% + $0.25 per transaction). What’s the catch? There isn’t one. Read more about our transparent pricing here . 3. Create unlimited debit cards and sub-accounts. Zeller Transaction Account is designed to be configured to your unique business needs. You can create as many sub-accounts and Zeller Debit Cards as you like, at no additional cost. You may choose to open one sub-account for storing operating funds, one for tax savings, and one for profits for example. Or, if your team has to regularly pay for expenses, you might create sub-accounts for each member of staff, and then give them each a Zeller Debit Card. Rather than dealing with petty cash or expense claims, Zeller Debit Cards – which can be physical or virtual – take the hassle out of team expenses, while also giving you complete control. Unlike with traditional banks, Zeller cardholders are not required to be signatories on the account, which means only you, as the business owner, will have admin access to your Zeller Transaction Account. 4. See your cash position at a glance with visual charts and quick-access insights. From your Zeller Dashboard, you can access a real-time, single-page overview of your business financial position. A simple chart tracks your end-of-day balance over the last 90 days, allowing you to quickly identify spending patterns and make informed business decisions such as rostering, inventory orders or the best time to push marketing. On the same page, you will find a preview of your most recent transactions, as well as the cash position of all your sub-accounts and debit cards. 5. Pay bills with BPAY. BPAY is an easy and secure way to manage and pay bills online. From your Zeller Transaction Account, you can assign contacts to bills paid with BPAY to track expenses over time, as well as reconcile bill payments with BPAY through Zeller and Xero Bank Feeds. Unlike many banks and other financial institutions, BPAY with Zeller is entirely free to use. Plus you benefit from the combined security of BPAY and Zeller to give you extra peace of mind. 6. Attach invoices, receipts and notes to transactions. Get the full picture when it comes time to do your taxes, reconcile your expenses, or find proof of purchase, thanks to Zeller’s handy feature that lets you attach invoices, receipts or notes to your transactions. Rather than storing payment records or important information relating to transactions in a folder somewhere, store them right alongside the transactions themselves where they can be accessed from anywhere you have an internet connection. It will keep you organised, reduce paper (better for the environment!), and save you time in the long run. 7. Assign contacts and customers to each transaction. Zeller Contact Directory lets you store business and personal details, and assign them to relevant transactions. Whether you’re transferring money, taking a payment, searching for a previous transaction or comparing how much you spend at various businesses, Zeller makes it easy to identify payers or payees. Simply select a contact to view your shared transaction history or direct a transfer. 8. Send invoices and receive online payments. Every Transaction Account holder has access to Zeller’s all-in-one invoicing solution . From Zeller Dashboard, you can choose to create or import a library of items, build customised invoices and send them immediately or at a later scheduled date via email or SMS. Your customers can then pay you securely via an online link using their debit or credit card – no need for bank details means you get paid faster. You can then track and report the payment status of your invoices or send automated reminders to make sure nothing goes unpaid. 9. Streamline your accounting with Xero. Whether you use Xero for invoicing, bookkeeping or both, Zeller’s integration with Xero keeps things simple. By connecting Zeller online payments to your Xero invoices, customers can pay in a click and you can receive your funds directly into your Zeller Transaction Account. Plus, you can sync your Zeller transaction and settlement data with Xero Bank Feeds making end-of-month reconciliation a breeze. 10. Access your business finances on the go with Zeller App. Access your business finances from a tablet or smartphone with Zeller’s top-rated app . From tracking sales and expenses to creating new accounts, issuing cards, and configuring account settings, Zeller’s full suite of tools and features is available from the palm of your hand. We understand that business owners are time-poor, which is exactly why we’ve carefully designed this app to allow you to manage all your finances on the go, simply and securely. Ready to try Zeller for yourself? Sign up free If you’re an existing Zeller customer, simply log into your Zeller Account to create a new, free Transaction Account today. If you are not yet using Zeller, sign up for free here and start growing your business with Zeller’s suite of financial tools.