FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual interest rate together with additional fees and charges. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as managing cash flows, business remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
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 growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a fixed-term for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your company needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly all business purpose including company renovations, to purchase new equipment or inventory, 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 necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge over assets, which could also include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than stipulating security over a particular asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal form of document to offer the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger business loans of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We could be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment that includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could be based on different terms.
Application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You are eligible to apply for a business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and an experienced company credit specialist will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need identification details (valid Driver’s License), a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent and 12 months of bank records, IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we typically provide an answer in just one hour – as long as you make your application during quality business time and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide the decision within just the span of one business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the modern bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us documents from your account statements , it can take a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an hour, provided you apply in normal business times and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to offer a decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be capable of provide the conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is around 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The most efficient method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects in order to assess the well-being that is your business and the level of repayments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
When you submit an application for a set amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to determine your well-being of the business and the level of repayments that your business is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specifics the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and provide you with a customised offer, including the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase and the sector the business is in, how long the company has been in operation, in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please contact our helpful company loans professionals. They will provide you with repayment details and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the principal remaining plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal balance and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and knowing how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the company owner makes use of an asset that they own to get the loan. The asset can be an individual property, such as the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset could be transferred to the lender. In essence it is an opportunity to secure new financing by making use of the value of what you already have.
What do I require security for a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require the personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stated in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.