FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans provides 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 what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
The application for this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any company use, including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About the Larger Epuni Business Loans
What is the Larger Epuni Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be operating for at least three years and generate an annual revenue of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly all business reason, such as business renovations, purchase of new 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 required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge over assets, and may include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company borrower is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been granted to individuals who own personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide an official notice of a claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We may be able to make this decision without a credit check and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves answering a couple of financial health questions. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of funds. A conditional approval is subject an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer you may receive may be on different terms.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply 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)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K - $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour if you submit your request within quality company timings and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements we can provide the decision in as little as one company day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 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 instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements , it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application during normal business hours and let us use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide a decision in just the span of one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be able to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly confirm your bank details online. If you upload the copies of bank 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 specific amount we take into consideration a range of variables that determine what is the health of the business and the extent of the repayments your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the particular circumstances for your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of variables to assess the well-being that is your business and the extent of repayments that your company can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for a company loan?
When you apply for one of our business loans, we’ll assess the risk profile the company and provide you with a customised proposal that includes the loan amount, the terms and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you will know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I am charged?
The interest rates on business loans rates vary due to factors like the amount of money 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 as well as what percentage of the business has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the charges?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll be aware of the amount you’ll be required to pay, and when, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan in advance?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to do this please talk to one of our helpful business loan professionals. They’ll offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. It will be calculated using the total of the remaining principal amount and accrued interest to the time of early payment in addition to 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments that are either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as ensure the security of your information is of paramount importance and is an essential aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to immediately verify your bank account details online to provide rapid response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the company owner makes use of assets they own to secure a loan. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home or a company asset such as a vehicle or piece of equipment.
The vast majority of the lenders including the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security for an company loan?
Up to $150K in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money, however we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the loan terms (as specified in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150K generally, there is personal ensure and security in the form of a charge over assets.