FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company purpose including cash flow management, business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Lower Hutt Business Loans
What is the Larger Lower Hutt Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost all business need, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, and could be registered with the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could have different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced company expert in lending will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request within standard company time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within just one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request in standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision in as little as the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we look at a variety of elements in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being that is your business and the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to request our company loans, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the business has been in operation as well as in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general well-being or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful company lending professionals. They’ll provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Security of your data, and making it clear how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner borrows from the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or an business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.