FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Forrest Hill unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is imaginable to apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business reason, such as the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Forrest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase 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 one that requires security?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help make the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for 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. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, 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 you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply during quality business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 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 may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in standard business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you health of the company and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess the health for your company and the level of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company loan, we will assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a tailored proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount 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 for, whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in 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% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can repay the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit experts. They’ll offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is vital and a vital aspect 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 security for our customers and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner uses the assets they have to get the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or an business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing using the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, no asset security is required before you can access the money but we do require the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need an individual ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.