FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an instant response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company need, such as managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used 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 amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for almost all company purpose including company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date the registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans that is greater than $250,000 we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a 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 business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three 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 few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application during quality company timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements , we will be able to provide the decision in as little as one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you apply at standard business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to confirm your bank details online. If you upload documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors for determining what is the well-being of the company and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we consider a variety of factors to determine the well-being of the company and the level of repayments that your business can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for our company loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the business has been operating, how long the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loans experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather, use, exchange and ensure the security of 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 use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a company owner utilises the assets they have to obtain the funding. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security for an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money However, we do need an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not required. For loans of over $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.