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 provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to get your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive a same day response and have the funds on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan which means you know ahead of time the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business use, including control of cash flow business remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
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 range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the company needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years, and have an annual income of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost every company purpose including company renovations, to purchase inventory or new equipment as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge on assets, and could include registration on the PPSR or making a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally liable if the business lender is not able to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated 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 the priority of personal property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document that is filed to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health questions. It’s not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. Acceptance without condition is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you might receive could have different terms.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in few minutes and a dedicated company credit specialist will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statement as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request within quality company hours and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved within just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statement, it may take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we typically offer an answer within an hour – provided you make your application within normal business timings and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer a decision within an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also let us use the advanced bank verification system link to verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us documents from your account accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we consider a variety of factors in order to assess your health of the business and the level of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances of your company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects to determine your health of the business and the extent of repayments that your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a business loan?
When you apply for business loans with us business loans, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your business and provide an individualised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know the exact amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money borrowed, the company assets the money are used to purchase, the industry the company operates in, the long the business has been running as well as in the event that the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the overall health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay and at what time, from the first day. There’s not any compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments on time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan absolutely no upfront cost and no commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please contact our helpful company lending specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. It will be calculated using the total of the remaining principal amount and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To ensure that you don’t miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and protect your information, is of huge importance 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 sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system link to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner utilises assets they own to obtain a loan. The asset may be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business property like a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I require security to secure an business loan?
For loans that exceed $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required prior to the loan’s access but we require a personal guarantee. need the personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract), asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is an individual ensure and security in the form of the charge of assets.