FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The West Harbour Small Business Loans
Let me know about the West Harbour Small Business Loans
West Harbour unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger West Harbour Business Loans
What is the Larger West Harbour Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge against assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
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 objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We may be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering a few financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, 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, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer within one hour if you apply during standard company times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer an answer within an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour if you make your application within standard business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of factors to determine the health for your business and the extent of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request one of our company loan, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know the exact amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business is in, how long the business has been in operation for, how long the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please contact our helpful company loans specialists. We will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the date of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance 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 personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can 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 a business owner makes use of the assets they have to get the loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to get a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150K generally there is an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.