FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Epuni Small Business Loans
Let me know more about Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
The application to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or on the phone. You’ll receive an immediate response, and the money could be available in just 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual interest rate plus other fees and charges. The business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly any business use, including control of cash flow business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Concerning Larger Epuni Business Loans
What is the Larger Epuni Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years and have an annual turnover of $700K. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funding be utilised?
A large company loan can be used for almost any business reason, such as business improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This is as a result of an charge on assets, and could include registration through the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a commitment to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally liable if the business lender is not able 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 that are registered for personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR grants priority over personal property to be granted in accordance with the date on which a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document that is filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for an enterprise loan that is greater than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial health checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer that you are offered could be on different terms.
The 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 over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application within a few minutes and an experienced company lending specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K – $250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within an hour if you make your application during quality company hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements we can provide the decision within one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to offer the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply is to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – as long as you apply in standard business timings and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once 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 specifics of each application. Certain offers have been approved in 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard business hours. You can also permit us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to upload documents from your account statements it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we take into consideration a range of elements that determine what is the health for your business and the amount of the repayments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances of your company.
When you make an application for a certain amount, we look at a range of elements to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your business and the amount of the repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a company loan?
When you apply for one of our company credit, we’ll assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and offer you with a tailored offer including loan amount, term and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors like the amount of money that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the company has been operating and in the event that the business has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, and general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay and when, right from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to request a credit loan no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit professionals. They’ll offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal balance plus any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and making it clear the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is crucial and an integral part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption protocols to safeguard your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to customer security and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online, allowing us to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when a business owner borrows from an asset that they own to secure the funding. The asset can be either a personal asset like the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a vehicle as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you’re struggling to pay back the loan, then the asset could be taken over by the lender. In essence it is means of securing additional financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Are I need security for a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we do require a personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as detailed in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal ensure and security in the form charges on assets.