FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Western Heights Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to 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 and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business need, such as managing cash flows, business remodels and marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About 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 growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of at least $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funds for?
A large company loan can be used for almost all company reason, such as company improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by way of charge over assets, which could also include registering this in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned depending on the date that a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more it’s possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help simplify the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for a 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 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 bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the 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 summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you make your application within quality company timings and you allow us to use 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 offer an answer in just 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we might be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within one hour – as long as you make your application within standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of elements for determining your well-being for your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics for your business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine your well-being of the company and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you make an application 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 the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will know the exact amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, the long the company has been in operation and what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you be required to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly company loans experts. We will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payment plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and 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. They are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of clients and security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information 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 an company owner uses the assets they have to make the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home, or an business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to your loan commitments (as stipulated in the loan contract) the security of assets is not needed. For loans over $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form an asset charge.