FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
You can apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans are based on an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a pre-paid loan so you will be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business reason, such as cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
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 growth opportunities. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly to work with your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large, your company needs to be trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used to fund almost every company need, including business improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required for funding of more than $150,000. This is as a result of an charge on assets, and may include the registration of this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company the borrower fails to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR gives prioritisation over property that is personal to be assigned depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re requesting larger company loans of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We could be able to do this without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves the answer to a series of financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be subject to different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced business lending specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) as well as an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent as well as 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide a response in one hour – as long as you submit your request during quality business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method is to ensure you apply during normal company hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to check your bank’s information online. If you send us documents from your account accounts, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we can often provide an answer in just one hour – provided you submit your request within normal business timings and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision in as little as 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we might be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you decide to upload the copies of bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of variables for determining how much we can lend you well-being that is your business and the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health of your business and the amount of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our business loan, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is of money borrowed, the business assets the funds will be used for and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business has been running, how long the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in 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% of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan early at any time.
If you decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan experts. We will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing payments and to work your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is of huge importance 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 standards to protect your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to protecting the security of customers and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when the business owner utilises an asset they own to get the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of lenders, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence, it’s the process of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets upfront to access the money However, we do require the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document) Asset security is not required. For loans over $150K typically, you will need an individual ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.