FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Forest Hill unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day 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. This company loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company purpose including the management of cash flow, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Forest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. 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 of proving at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost all business use, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is in the form of a charge on assets, and may include registering this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally in nature rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the company lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We might be able to get this done without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request during quality company timings and let us utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within an hour if you make your application in standard business times and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer an answer in just 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be in a position to provide the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements that determine how much we can lend you well-being of your company and the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the business and the extent of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company loan, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans 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 business operates in, the long the business has been running, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and also the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can repay the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful business loan specialists. They’ll offer you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to customer security and security. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an company owner uses assets they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home or a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, the asset might 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.
Do I need security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, you can get personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.