FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Western Heights Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Western Heights Small Business Loans
Western Heights unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply for the 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 business loans are based on an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily payment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business use, including control of cash flow company remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Western Heights Business Loans
What is the Larger Western Heights Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years as well as own 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 utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for nearly all company reason, such as business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by taking a charge against assets and can be registered in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a 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 offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. It is possible to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health questions. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could have different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $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 loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of 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 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often offer an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request within quality company time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the 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. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements , it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer a response in one hour – provided you make your application within normal business times and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your 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 offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of variables in order to assess the health of your business as well as the amount of repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine the well-being of the company and the extent of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
If you decide to request business loans with us business loans, we will assess the risk assessment the company and provide you with a customised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, the long the business is in operation as well as how long the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business lending experts. We will offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and secure your information, is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner borrows from an asset they own to obtain the funding. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I require security for an business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stated in the loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.