FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The West Harbour Small Business Loans
Tell me about the West Harbour Small Business Loans
West Harbour unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
The application to get this 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 are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger West Harbour Business Loans
What is the Larger West Harbour Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets and can be registered in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business 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 reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property assigned according to the date the security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within one hour if you make your application in quality business time and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to offer a decision within just an company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal company hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request at standard business times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our sophisticated bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables for determining the well-being of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of factors to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of the business and the extent of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and offer an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know the exact amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the business is in operation as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan experts. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing how we collect data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential part of our relationship 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 certified for our dedication to security for our clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner makes use of an asset that they own to make the loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or an company asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the value of what you already own.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money, however we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans over $150K typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.