FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Highbury Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Highbury Small Business Loans
Highbury unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About the Larger Highbury Business Loans
What is the Larger Highbury Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $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 determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost all business use, including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced 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 Licence) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within an hour, provided you make your application within standard business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide a decision in as little as one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request within normal business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll offer an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of factors for determining what is the health for your business as well as the amount of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess your health of the business and the extent of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a business loan?
When you make an application for our company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment the business and provide you with a tailored proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, how long the company has been in operation, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees for our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please call our helpful business credit professionals. The professionals will offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when a company owner makes use of an asset that they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a company asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of the lenders even the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds but we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as detailed in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not required. For loans over $150K generally there is an individual ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.