FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Howick Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Howick Small Business Loans
Howick unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly installment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business need, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About Larger Howick Business Loans
What is the Larger Howick Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A larger company loan can be used to fund almost every business purpose including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory for 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 required for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s by taking a charge on assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business the borrower fails to make the repayment.
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 permits preference over private property assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
An affidavit is an official form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 it is possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help make the process. It is possible to make this decision without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of finance. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you receive could be subject to different conditions.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
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 company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business expert in lending will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License), an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour if you apply within standard business time and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statement, we’ll provide an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for 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 fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you upload copies of your bank statements it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request during normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account statements, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects for determining your health of the company and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine your health of your company as well as the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for the business loans, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several 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 operates in, how long the business has been operating for, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you be required to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please contact our helpful business loan professionals. The specialists will offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of paramount importance and an integral element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner utilises assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or other piece of machinery.
The majority of banks, not just the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to get a company loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you are able to access the money however, we do need a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally there is a personal guarantee and security in the form charges on assets.