FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt 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.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and 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 loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost any company need, including business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge over assets, and may be registered on the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$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: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request during quality company times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within just 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure 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 choose to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you make your application in normal business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statements it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors for determining how much we can lend you health that is your company and the amount of repayments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as health of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you request the company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment of your company and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates vary due to variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the company operates in, how long the company is in operation and whether the business has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost 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 percent of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business loans experts. The experts will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and 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 instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner uses an asset they own to obtain the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or an business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as detailed in the loan contract) the security of assets is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.