FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Houghton Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Houghton Small Business Loans
Houghton unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the 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 money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company use, including cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Concerning Larger Houghton Business Loans
What is the Larger Houghton Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger company loan can be used for nearly every company use, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. It’s by way of charge against assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans that exceeds $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you may receive may be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three 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 within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will call you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply in standard company time and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within just the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application during normal business times and permit us to use the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer the decision in as little as the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be capable of provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you health of the company as well as the amount of repayments that your company can support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine your health of your business and the extent of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for one of our company credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide you with a tailored offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company is in, how long the business is in operation, whether the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company loans professionals. We will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing 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 the company owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure a loan. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Are I need security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, typically, you will need a personal ensure and security in the form of charges on assets.