FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 month and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. We offer a company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly payment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business use, including the management of cash flow, company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
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 company growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan is a great option for almost every business purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or 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 required for funding of more than $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge against assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a commitment to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than stating security over a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the company 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 lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K, we may offer an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. We might be able to do this without credit checks 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 well-being checks. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you may receive may be on different terms.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (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 quick and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business credit specialist will contact you to help you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) as well as an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within one hour, provided you apply in standard business timings and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide a decision within just 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this can be quicker based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you upload duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request at normal business timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload documents from your account statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of aspects that determine the health of the company and the level of repayments that your business is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you apply for a specific amount we look at a range of aspects to assess the health of your business and the level of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for the cost of a company loan?
If you decide to apply for business loans with us company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide an individualised 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 in advance the total amount payable including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, what business assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, the long the business is in operation, what percentage of the business has sufficient cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our business loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount you need to pay, and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan early at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please speak to our friendly company loan professionals. The professionals will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. This will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and protect your information, is of paramount importance and a vital part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an business owner uses an asset they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home or a business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, even the big banks, tend to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I require security to get an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money, however we do require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) the security of assets is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.