FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Western Heights Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Western Heights Small Business Loans
Western Heights unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $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 the traditional company loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company reason, such as cash flow management, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About larger Western Heights Business Loans
What is the Larger Western Heights Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the business needs to be operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. 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 of proving at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly all company purpose including business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge against assets, and could be registered in the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer an official notice of a claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may have different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request within standard business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide the decision in just 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an hour – provided you submit your request at normal business times and let us use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we look at a variety of aspects to determine the well-being that is your business as well as the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of elements to assess your well-being that is your company and the level of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you request the company loan, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for and the sector the company is in, how long the business is in operation for, in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with with no upfront cost 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 decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please speak to our friendly company lending specialists. They will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the total of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is crucial and an integral element 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 financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to customer security and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner makes use of the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of banks, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I require security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security before you are able to access the money however, we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.