FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Forest Hill 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, which are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an instant response and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. The business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company need, such as managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Forest Hill Business Loans
What is the Larger Forest Hill Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger company loan is a great option for almost every company reason, such as company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, which could also include the registration of this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer the legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for larger business loans of $250,000 or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We might be able to apply for this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own 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 trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $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 company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials 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 usually provide an answer within an hour if you submit your request in standard business time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in just one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer within one hour if you submit your request during normal business time and let us make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain transactions have received approval in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements for determining how much we can lend you health of your company as well as the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health of the business and the level of repayments that your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our company financing, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, how long the business has been running, what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden fees for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please call our helpful business lending specialists. We will offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as making it clear how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, 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 techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner borrows from assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need the option of a personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.