FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Highgate Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Highgate Small Business Loans
Highgate unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans reference an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business use, including control of cash flow company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Highgate Business Loans
What is the Larger Highgate Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size the company needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funds be used for?
A large business loan can be used for almost every company need, including company renovations, purchase of new equipment or inventory, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This is by taking a charge over assets, and may include registration on the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central register run by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest that is registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial evaluation that involves answering a couple of financial health questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could be on different terms.
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 at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and easy. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application in quality company hours and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision within just an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be in a position to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval in 24 hours.
The most efficient method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of elements that determine how much we can lend you health of the company and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess the well-being of the company and the level of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for a company loan?
When you apply for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the business is in operation as well as how long the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan professionals. We will offer you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of the early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when an company owner uses assets they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home or an business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security for a company loan?
Up to $150K in loans no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access however, we do require the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract) the security of assets will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.