FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can 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 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company use, including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
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 expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every business purpose including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge on 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 promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit verification 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. This is not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (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 quick and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will call you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within quality business timings and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply within standard business time and permit us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of factors in order to assess your health of the business and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to assess your well-being that is your company and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us business credit, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating as well as what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit specialists. They’ll offer you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as 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 utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from the assets they have to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home or it could be a business property like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access, however we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.