FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Forest Hill unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business reason, such as cash flow management, company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About Larger Forest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made 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 calculated 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 business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan is a great option for almost every company purpose including company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger company loans that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a 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 trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request during quality business time and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide a decision within the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be ensure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request in standard business times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you send us documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being for your business as well as the amount of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to assess the well-being for your business and the level of repayments your company can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our business credit, we will assess the risk assessment for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the business has been running and whether the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please contact our helpful company loan specialists. They’ll provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the date of early payout and 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of 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 use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the company owner borrows from assets they own to make a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or it could be a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure additional financing using the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans of over $150K generally, there is personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.