FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Forrest Hill Small Business Loans
Forrest Hill unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is imaginable to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including managing cash flows, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
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 business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used for almost any company need, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include registering this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to offer the legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of $250K or more it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may be on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application at standard company timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision within just the span of one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business timings and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision in as little as an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors for determining your well-being that is your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess your health of the business as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request one of our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment the business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I pay?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business has been in operation and in the event that the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and the general health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company lending experts. They’ll provide you with details on repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of the early payout plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is vital and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an business owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security for an company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans no asset security is required upfront to access the money but we do need a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.