FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Forrest Hill unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forrest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost any business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial health questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application details 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 and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you make your application at quality business hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are 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 just 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – provided you make your application in standard business timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in as little as an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain deals have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of variables that determine the health of your business and the extent of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of aspects to assess your well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and provide you with a tailored offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. This company loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the business is in operation as well as whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and also the general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of 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 loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please call our helpful company credit professionals. They will offer you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge 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 sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account information online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner utilises the assets they have to secure the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it is the process of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security to secure an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.