FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Highgate Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Highgate Small Business Loans
Highgate unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including control of cash flow company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About larger Highgate Business Loans
What is the Larger Highgate Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
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.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (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 company loan can be used to fund almost every business reason, such as company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge on assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to smooth out the process. It is possible to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually offer a response in one hour, provided you apply at quality business time and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision in as little as 1 company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be capable of offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply at normal business hours and let us use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of variables for determining what is the health of the company and the level of the repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we consider a variety of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health that is your business and the level of payments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
If you decide to apply for the business loans, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a tailored offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business is operating in, how long the company has been running, whether the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please call our helpful business loan experts. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is vital and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner makes use of the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan then your assets could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding making use of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security for an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, 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 stipulated in your loan contract) Asset security is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need an individual ensure and security that is in the form the charge of assets.