FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional company loan?
You can apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and the money could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate as well as other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will know in advance the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business purpose including control of cash flow business renovations, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Hillcrest Business Loans
What is the Larger Hillcrest Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all business need, including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually by way of charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than specifying security over a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to re-pay 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 goods or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to provide the public notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking larger business loans that is greater than $250K we can offer an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We could be able to apply for this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. This is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can 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)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (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 fast and easy. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $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, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically provide an answer within an hour, provided you submit your request within quality company times and permit us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to ensure you apply during normal company hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system to verify your bank information online. If you send us documents from your account statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you apply within standard business time and let us utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements we can offer the decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of variables for determining the health of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances for your business.
If you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess how much we can lend you such as health for your business as well as the amount of repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
When you apply for one of our company financing, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and provide an individualised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know the exact amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates vary due to variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company operates in, the long the business has been running, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you need to pay, and when, right from the very first day. There’s not any compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful business credit professionals. They’ll offer you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Security of your data, and being upfront about how we collect, use, exchange and secure your information, is of paramount importance and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when a company owner utilises assets they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of lenders, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do require the 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 will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is the option of a personal guarantee and security is provided in the form of a charge over assets.