FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Forrest Hill unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
The application to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is a cash-based loan which means you know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company need, such as control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Forrest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount the business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. Your business 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 of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger business loan can be used for nearly any company use, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets and can be registered with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger business loans of $250K or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check 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. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you might receive could be on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an 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)
- must show at least six months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request in quality business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be able to provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest method 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 choose to upload the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you apply within standard business timings and you 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 banking statements, we are able to offer a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a variety of variables in order to assess the health of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances for your company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine your well-being of the business and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to make an application for the business credit, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, how long the company has been operating and whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please call our helpful company loan experts. We will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, 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 standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner borrows from an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty 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 business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money however, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need a personal ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.