FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Houghton Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Houghton Small Business Loans
Houghton unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know in advance the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as cash flow management, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as 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 loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost any business purpose including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment as well as for 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 required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge against assets and can be registered on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal form of document to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business lending specialist will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application at quality company times and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you upload the copies of bank statements , it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within standard business time and you allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer a decision in as little as 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements to determine your health for your business as well as the amount of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
If you apply for a particular amount, we look at a range of factors to determine the well-being that is your company and the level of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to apply for our business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your business and provide you with a tailored offer that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is operating in, how long the business is in operation as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful business lending professionals. The experts will offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payment plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect, use, exchange and ensure the security of your information is vital 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 financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an business owner uses an asset they own to get a loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a company asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of lenders, not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I need security to secure an business loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access however, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you are able to get the option of a personal ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.