FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Forrest Hill unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. The applicant must also be 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost all company use, including business renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory 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 is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge over assets, and could include registration on the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans of $250,000 or more we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request at quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within just the span of one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within one hour if you apply at standard business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around six 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 agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects that determine the well-being for your company as well as the amount of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the level of payments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for one of our company financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been running as well as whether the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business credit professionals. They’ll provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align 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 protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance 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 techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.