FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the 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 expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s by way of charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
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 goods or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced company loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply during standard company times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer an answer within just 1 business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide a response in one hour if you make your application within standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables in order to assess your health that is your company and the extent of repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to determine the health that is your company and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the company has been running and in the event that the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please speak to our friendly business lending experts. They will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner uses an asset that they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or an business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
Should I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans up to $150K it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access, however we do need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.