FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Epuni Small Business Loans
Let me know what you think of the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
The application 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 annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. Our business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every business purpose including cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
About larger Epuni Business Loans
What is the Larger Epuni Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly to work with the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can the funds be used for?
A Business Loan of a larger size can be used for almost every company use, including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge on assets, which could also be registered on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to make the repayment.
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 goods or assets). The PPSR allows the priority of personal property assigned in accordance with the date on which a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to offer an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for larger company loans of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help smooth out the process. It is possible to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial well-being questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could be based on different conditions.
Application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will be in touch to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent, 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request within standard business times and you allow us to utilise the bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer the decision in just an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you decide to upload duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer a response in one hour if you submit your request during standard business time and you allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be capable of provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in around six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Some transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you decide to send us documents from your account accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of variables in order to assess the well-being that is your company as well as the amount of repayments that your business can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your business.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of factors to assess the health of your business as well as the amount of the repayments your company can support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particulars of your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a business loan?
When you request business loans with us business credit, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront-priced loan so you will know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase, the industry the business is in, how long the company has been operating and what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You may choose to pay back all of your advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please call our helpful business lending experts. They will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. These are automatically deducted from your nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and knowing how we collect, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is vital and a vital part of our relationship 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 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online, allowing us to provide rapid response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner uses an asset they own to obtain a loan. The asset can be either an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, even the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be taken over by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150,000 there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be required. For loans over $150K generally, there is an individual guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.