FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Howick Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Howick Small Business Loans
Howick unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an immediate response, and the funds could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Howick Business Loans
What is the Larger Howick Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A large business loan is a great option for almost any company use, including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and may include registering this with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be on different conditions.
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)
- must show at least six months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and an experienced company loan specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour if you submit your request at quality company hours and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide a response in one hour – provided you apply during normal business times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six 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 specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of variables that determine what is the well-being of the business and the extent of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of factors to determine the well-being of the company and the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics for your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to apply for the company credit, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. A company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and general well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit experts. The experts will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payout figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and being transparent about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and a vital part 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 personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online so we can provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home, or an business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of banks, not just the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security before you can access the money However, we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract) the security of assets is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal guarantee and security that is in the form an asset charge.