FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of The Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Forest Hill Small Business Loans
Forest Hill unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
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 business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly all company need, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This is by way of charge against assets and can be registered in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be subject to different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within one hour if you make your application at standard business hours and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements , it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application at normal business hours and you allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you upload the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of factors to determine your well-being for your company as well as the amount of repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
If you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of aspects to assess the health of your company and the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for our company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront cost loan therefore you will be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for, the industry the company operates in, the long the company is in operation, in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan absolutely no upfront cost and no obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful company credit experts. They will provide you with repayment details and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and safeguard your data, is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to offer rapid response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner utilises an asset they own to secure the loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders including the largest banks, are inclined to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Should I require security for a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150,000 generally there is a personal ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.