FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Western Heights Small Business Loans
Let me know how you can avail the Western Heights Small Business Loans
Western Heights unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to get this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every company need, such as cash flow management, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About the Larger Western Heights Business Loans
What is the Larger Western Heights Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly all company need, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for 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 necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This is in the form of a charge on assets, and may be registered with the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than specifying security over an 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 an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250K or more it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you are offered could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company 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 three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will contact you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour – as long as you submit your request during quality company times and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The most efficient method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour – as long as you apply within normal business times and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements that determine the well-being that is your business and the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of variables to assess the health that is your business and the amount of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised proposal that includes loan amount, term and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know the exact amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the business has been operating and how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as long as you are able to make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing 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 the loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to do this please call our helpful business loan professionals. We will offer you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payment and 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure you do not miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner borrows from an asset that they own to get the funding. The asset could be an individual asset, such as the family home or an business asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lenders, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Do I require security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150K the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.