FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About 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 company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets and can include registering this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property assigned depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans of more than $250K it’s possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial health questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you are offered could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request at standard business hours and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision within one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request in normal business hours and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of your business and the amount of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a range of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide an individualised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business has been in operation, whether the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business lending specialists. The professionals will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and is a crucial 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 protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner uses an asset they own to obtain the funding. The asset may be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required before you are able to access the money but we do require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.