FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Let me know how you are able to avail the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
Apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. Our company loan is a loan that is priced upfront which means you be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost every business purpose including managing cash flows, business renovations, marketing, to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital, and 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 growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly depending on your situation.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan in this amount the business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old as well as own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A larger company loan is a great option for almost every company use, including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory, as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that is secured?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by way of charge on assets, and could include the registration of this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a promise to pay back a loan that is generally in nature rather than specifying the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company the borrower fails to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to offer the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K it’s possible to offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you may receive may have different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- can demonstrate at least 6 months of trading (for for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company loan specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent as well as 12 months of bank records, IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we can often provide a response in one hour if you make your application within quality company times and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements we can offer the decision within just the span of one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply can be make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use our advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you send us the copies of bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer a response in one hour – provided you apply within normal business time and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements, we will be able to offer the decision within one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we might be capable of offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use our modern bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we take into consideration a range of elements in order to assess what is the well-being for your company and the level of repayments that your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the business.
When you apply for a specific amount we will consider a number of aspects to determine the well-being of your company as well as the amount of payments your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for the business credit, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and offer an individualised offer including the amount of the loan, the duration and the interest rates. A company loan is an upfront cost loan and you’ll know the exact amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I pay?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the company has been operating as well as in the event that the business has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and overall well-being and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments on time).
We do not charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of the advance loan at any time.
If you are deciding to take this route, please call our helpful business credit professionals. The experts will offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the total of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the date of early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing payments and to work with your cash flow standard, we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Protecting your information, and being clear about the ways we gather, use, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when the business owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the loan. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or it could be a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is means of securing new financing by taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Do I need security to secure a business loan?
For loans up to $150K there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150K typically, you will need an individual guarantee and security that is in the form a charge over assets.