FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Highgate Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Highgate Small Business Loans
Highgate unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company reason, such as control of cash flow business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
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 business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge over assets, which could also include registration with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally based rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the company the borrower fails to repay 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 registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We might be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business loan specialist will be in touch to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application within standard company times and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision in just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , it can take 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 in just one hour if you submit your request during normal business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of aspects for determining how much we can lend you health that is your company and the amount of the repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of aspects to determine your well-being that is your company and the level of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you request one of our company credit, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, how long the business has been operating for, whether the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful company lending experts. The specialists will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow routine, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is vital and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner uses assets they own to secure a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, not just the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new funding making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, no asset security is required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document) Asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, you are able to get a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.