FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. This business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business need, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Lower Hutt Business Loans
What is the Larger Lower Hutt Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A 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 company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every business use, including business remodeling, buying new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge over assets, and may include the registration of this on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We could 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 health questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you receive could have different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application at standard business timings and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application within normal business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of the company and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of factors to determine your health that is your business and the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company loans, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the company is in, how long the business is in operation and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you be required to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly company lending specialists. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner makes use of the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or it could be a company property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined 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 new funding using the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access However, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need personal ensure and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.