FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Western Heights Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Western Heights Small Business Loans
Western Heights unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and the funds could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About larger Western Heights Business Loans
What is the Larger Western Heights Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost any company need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for 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 needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company lender is not able 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 items or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan that exceeds $250K we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
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 demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (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 in few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply during quality business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in just one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply at standard business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables to determine your well-being of the business as well as the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we look at a range of factors to determine your health of your business and the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you request our company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the company has been in operation as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can make an application for loans with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please contact our helpful business lending professionals. They will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure 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 standards to secure your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner uses the assets they have to make the funding. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
Are I require security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.