FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Houghton Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Houghton Small Business Loans
Houghton unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business purpose including the management of cash flow, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About larger Houghton Business Loans
What is the Larger Houghton Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost any company need, including company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets, and could be registered through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining security over an asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that exceeds $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. It is possible to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply 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 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, plus interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply during standard business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide a decision in as little as one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour if you submit your request within standard business timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once 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. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements in order to assess how much we can lend you well-being of your business and the extent of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics for your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine your health of the company and the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business is in, how long the company has been running and whether the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing 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 amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful company credit professionals. They will offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout and 1.5% of the principal balance as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online. This allows us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner utilises an asset that they own to make the funding. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home, or a company asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as specified in your loan contract), asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you can get personal guarantee and security in the form a charge over assets.