FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Highbury Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Highbury Small Business Loans
Highbury unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an instant response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. The business loan is a cash-based loan which means you know in advance the total amount due, which includes any fees, charges or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business need, such as the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About Larger Highbury Business Loans
What is the Larger Highbury Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large business loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It is usually in the form of a charge on assets, which could also include registering this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives the priority of personal property assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We may be able to apply for this without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request in standard company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide a decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application at normal business times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide a decision in as little as an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, permit us to use the sophisticated bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of variables in order to assess how much we can lend you health of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects to assess your well-being of the business and the extent of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an business loan?
When you make an application for one of our company loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and provide you with a customised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront-priced loan therefore you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company operates in, how long the business has been running as well as whether the business has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our business loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful business credit specialists. The professionals will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow routine, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They will be 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 the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online so we can provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner uses an asset they own to get the loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against assets. If you have 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 funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access but we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.