FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Details of 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 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an instant response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including the management of cash flow, business remodels and marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About the Larger Hillcrest Business Loans
What is the Larger Hillcrest Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion 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, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every company use, including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This is as a result of an charge over assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online, central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned according to the date a security interest has been registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to provide the legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000 it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. This is not an offer or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer you receive could be based on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months’ worth of transactions (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company lending specialist will contact you to assist you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000, you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K-$500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide a response in one hour, provided you make your application during standard business hours and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you send us duplicates of your banking accounts, it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request within normal business time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours, and permit us to use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we will consider a number of elements that determine how much we can lend you health that is your company and the extent of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a particular amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of the company and the level of the repayments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an company loan?
When you make an application for business loans with us business credit, we will assess the risk profile of your company and offer you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. This business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, the long the company has been running for, whether the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, as well as the general well-being or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please call our helpful company loan professionals. They will offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment and 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner uses assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home or an company property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it is means of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security to get an business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money However, we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract), asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.