FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information 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 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
Apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum together with additional fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company need, such as control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
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 business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost every business reason, such as business renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is needed to obtain funding above $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, which could also include the registration of this on the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests registered in respect of personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re seeking a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to make the process. It is possible to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject a full credit assessment and any offer that you receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for a business 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 of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and easy. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence), an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within an hour – as long as you make your application at quality company timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we could be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours. You can also allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually provide a response in one hour – provided you apply in normal business time and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a particular amount, we look at a variety of aspects for determining how much we can lend you health of the business and the level of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances of your business.
When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request the business loans, we will assess the risk profile of your company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes loan amount, term and interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you know the exact amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the funds are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been operating, whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, and also the general health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please speak to our friendly business loan specialists. They will offer you with details for repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
In order to help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather information, use it, and exchange it, as well as protect your information, is crucial and is an essential part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner makes use of an asset that they own to get the loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan then your asset may be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s means of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already have.
Do I need security to get an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds but we do require a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan obligations (as detailed in the loan contract) the security of assets will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally, you are able to get an individual guarantee and security that is in the form the charge of assets.