FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Hawthorn Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Hawthorn Small Business Loans
Hawthorn unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a cash-based loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Hawthorn Business Loans
What is the Larger Hawthorn Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with 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 determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A large company loan can be used for nearly all company purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets, and could include registering this with the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may apply for a company 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)
- must show at least six months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to help you.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer an answer within one hour, provided you apply within standard company hours and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to offer an answer within just one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you upload documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application during standard business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we will be able to provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After 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 specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of variables to determine your health that is your business and the extent of repayments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of variables to assess the health of the company and the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an business loan?
When you make an application for one of our business loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the business operates in, the long the business is in operation as well as what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and overall health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you be required to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business loans specialists. They’ll offer you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is of huge importance and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner makes use of the assets they have to get the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new financing by using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security for a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we do require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) Asset security will never be required. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.