A class, it's method and self-referencing

[Andy]

I created this class and a method. the method is used to submit data to a DB. that data is actually an object created from the same class. W

What I'd like to know is, is it considered good practice to use the Private variables(fields) or should you still use the object.properties? ex:

public class Loan
 
private strName as string 'the field
 
public property Name() as string
get
return strName
end get
 
set
..
..
end set
 
public function SubmitData() as something
 
send strName to DB 'OR
send LoanObject.Name to DB
 
end function

That's pretty close anyway. I am currently sending the variables' data and NOT sending the data as properties. Which is more efficient? Which is better?