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 offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
You can apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or by phone. You will receive a same day response and the funds could be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. We offer a company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly installment amount.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business need, such as managing cash flows, company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital and 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 of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, 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 company needs to have been operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for nearly all company use, including business renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed to access funding over $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, which could also be registered in the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
An affidavit is an official document that is filed to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking an enterprise loan of $250,000 or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval to make the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health checks. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you may receive may be on different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for an company 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)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to help you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K-$500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summary.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within an hour if you apply in quality company hours and allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements , we will be able to provide a decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure 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 documents from your account accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide a response in one hour – provided you apply in normal business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables to determine your health for your business and the extent of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances for your business.
When you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess your well-being of your company and the extent of payments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for business loans with us company credit, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your company and offer you with a customised offer, including the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. A business loan is an upfront cost loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the business is in operation and how long the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from day one. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please call our helpful business credit specialists. We will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and accrued interest to the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and knowing the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and secure your information, is vital and is a crucial element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online so we can offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner utilises assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders even the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Do I require security to secure a business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security prior to the loan’s access However, we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not required. For loans that exceed $150,000, generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.