FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
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 provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. The company loan is a cash-based loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business need, such as the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
About Larger Western Heights Business Loans
What is the Larger Western Heights Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly every company reason, such as business renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated 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 granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to offer the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you might receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business 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)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000, you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply within quality business time and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also allow us to use the advance bank verification to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often offer a response in one hour if you apply at normal business hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in 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 can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors that determine what is the health of the company and the level of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine your health of the business and the amount of the repayments your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a business loan?
If you decide to request our business financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a customised offer, including loan amount, term and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money of money borrowed, the business assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is operating in, how long the company has been in operation and whether the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and also the 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 you be required to pay and when, from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can get a cash loan with no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can decide to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please speak to our friendly company loan experts. They will provide you with repayment details along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow general, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and secure your information, is vital and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you 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)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner utilises assets they own to make the funding. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or an business asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Should I require security for a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds however, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K generally there is a personal ensure and security in the form an asset charge.