FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply to get 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 in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. This business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About Larger Hillcrest Business Loans
What is the Larger Hillcrest Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term for up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large the business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Larger Business Loan can be used to fund almost every business need, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge against assets and can be registered in the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business creditor is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim to property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan that exceeds $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you receive could be subject to different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for you to qualify for 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 simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request during standard company timings and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within 1 company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we could 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 between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within just 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements it will take a little longer.
How fast will I get the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer a response in one hour if you submit your request in standard business time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide the decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once 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 particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during normal business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of elements in order to assess what is the well-being that is your business and the extent of repayments that your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of factors to assess the well-being for your company and the amount of repayments that your company can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us company loan, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your business and offer an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will know in advance the total amount you will have to pay, including charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company operates in, the long the company has been in operation for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the costs?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please call our helpful company credit specialists. We will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To ensure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount importance and is an essential 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 protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our customers and privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner borrows from the assets they have to make the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for an company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 it is not necessary to secure assets prior to the loan’s access but we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the terms of your loan (as specified in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.