FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Hillcrest Small Business Loans
Hillcrest unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What makes the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and have the funds available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including managing cash flows, company remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
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. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan that is this large the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of at least $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A larger business loan is a great option for almost every business need, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This is by way of charge against assets, and may include registering this in the PPSR or filing a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business borrower is unable to re-pay 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 granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the registration of a security interest.
The caveat can be described as a formal document filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan of more than $250,000, we may offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. We could be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial health questions. This is neither an offer nor a guarantee of funds. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you might receive could be on different terms.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Simply complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve month bank accounts, the IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim current financial year financials such as age-related payables and aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually offer an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request in standard company times and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide an answer within an company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we could be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six 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 on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually provide a response in one hour, provided you apply at normal business hours and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide an answer within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use our advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statement, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we look at a variety of variables in order to assess what is the health for your company as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances for your business.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of elements to assess your health for your business as well as the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars of your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
If you decide to request the company loan, we will assess the risk assessment of your business and provide you with a customised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a business loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware in advance of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the funds will be used for and the sector the company is operating in, how long the company has been running as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and overall well-being or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be required to pay and when, starting from the very first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with establishing 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 the loan.
Can I pay off the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you choose to do this please contact our helpful business loans professionals. They will provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and is a crucial part 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 as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We use an advanced banking verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online so we can offer quick responses.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner borrows from an asset that they own to make the funding. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or a business asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, even the big banks, tend to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s the process of securing new financing taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
What do I require security for a company loan?
For loans up to $150K no asset security is required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans that exceed $150K, generally, you can get a personal ensure and security in the form of an asset charge.