FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 month and cash flow-friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone, receive an instant response and the funds could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including any interest, fees or charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as cash flow management, business renovations, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
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 range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
It is crucial to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, calculated 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, your company needs to have been operating for at least three years, and have an annual income of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. It’s in the form of a charge on assets, and could include registering this through the PPSR or making a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally accountable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted according to the date a security interest that is registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval to smooth out the process. We might be able to make this decision without a credit verification and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of credit. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
Application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You can 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 demonstrate at minimum 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business credit specialist will contact you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll require ID details (valid Driver’s License) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent twelve months of bank statements, IRD statement Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually offer a response in one hour, provided you submit your request during standard company time and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statements , we will be able to offer an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it may take a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we usually provide an answer within an hour – provided you apply in normal business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide the decision within an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) We may be capable of offer you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be faster depending on the specifics of each application. Some agreements have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. You can also allow us to use the advance bank verification link to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to send us duplicates of your banking statements it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We provide the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount, we look at a variety of variables that determine the health of your business as well as the amount of payments your company can afford. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess the health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your company will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances that are unique to your business.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for an company loan?
When you request one of our business loans, we will assess the risk profile for your business and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. It is a company loan is an upfront priced loan which means you know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various variables like the amount to be that is borrowed, what company assets the funds are used to purchase and the sector the company is operating in, how long the business is in operation for, what percentage of the company has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and general health as well as creditworthiness company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans. You’ll know precisely what you need to pay and when, right from the day you sign up. There’s not any compounding interest and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can get a cash loan with with no upfront cost or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of the loan in full at any time.
If you choose to take this route, please contact our helpful business lending experts. They will offer you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of the early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To ensure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Security of your data, and being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as safeguard your data, is of huge importance and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online, allowing us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner makes use of assets they own to obtain the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset could be offered for sale by the lender. In essence, it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
What do I require security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as stated in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be required. For loans of over $150K typically, you will need personal guarantee and security in the form of the charge of assets.