FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Highbury Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Highbury Small Business Loans
Highbury unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an answer within the same day and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a cash-based loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, such as managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising 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 Highbury Business Loans
What is the Larger Highbury Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate you cashflow.
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.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years and have an annual turnover of at least $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly all company use, including company renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory 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 required to access funding over $150,000. This is by taking a charge on assets, and may be registered through the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to do this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the 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 not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated business credit specialist will call you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request during standard business hours and let us 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 in as little as the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us documents from your account statement, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request within standard business hours and you allow us to use the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statements it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of variables in order to assess what is the health of the company as well as the amount of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being of your business and the amount of the repayments your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you make an application for our business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront cost loan which means you know in advance the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company is in, how long the company has been running for, how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall well-being or financial standing of the company.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can decide to repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit experts. We will provide you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure you do not miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner makes use of an asset that they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be either an individual property, such as the family home, or an business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The vast majority of banks, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing additional financing taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract) Asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, typically, you will need an individual ensure and security that is in the form charges on assets.