FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any company reason, such as managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Lower Hutt Business Loans
What is the Larger Lower Hutt Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost every business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, and could be registered through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted 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 against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. It is possible to make this decision without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could be on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company loan specialist will call you to assist you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application in quality business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements , it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request at standard business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide a decision within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables in order to assess what is the health of the company and the level of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company as well as the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us company financing, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business operates in, how long the business has been in operation as well as what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit professionals. They’ll offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner makes use of an asset they own to get the loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access However, we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. For loans over $150,000 generally, you are able to get personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.