FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me how you can avail the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans provides amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply for your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive a same day response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual rate of interest as well as other fees and charges. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into either weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every business purpose including managing cash flows, business improvements, advertising, to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
About larger Epuni Business Loans
What is the Larger Epuni Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. Repayments are either weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your situation.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan in this amount the business needs to have been operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. You must be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be utilised?
A larger business loan can be used for almost every company reason, such as company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment or as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, and may be registered with the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally based rather than stating the security for a particular asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally responsible if the company borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests granted to individuals who own personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR permits preference over private property granted according to the date a registration of a security interest.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re seeking the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We could be able to make this decision without a credit check, and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be subject to 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 the age of 18 and own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months worth of trade (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just fill out the online application within a few minutes and a dedicated business lending specialist will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, plus interim financial statements for the current year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables reports.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you submit your request at standard business time and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer an answer within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we may be able to offer you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard business hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we usually offer an answer within one hour, provided you make your application at standard business timings and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements, we are able to provide a decision in just an business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we could be likely to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve 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 particular circumstances of each application. Certain deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be ensure you apply during normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you send us copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
What is the maximum 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 take into consideration a range of elements that determine your well-being of the business and the level of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specific circumstances the business.
When you apply for a specific amount we take into consideration a variety of factors to determine your health that is your company and the extent of repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
When you request one of our company credit, we’ll assess the risk profile for your company and offer you with a tailored offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. A company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any charges, interest rates or fees.
What is the factor that determines the price I pay?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the company is operating in, how long the business has been in operation and whether the business has sufficient cash flow to support the loan, and also the general health as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you need to pay and at what time, from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding interest and there are no additional charges (as as long as you pay your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You are able to get a cash loan without any upfront costs or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay all of your loan in full at any time.
If you decide to take this route, please call our helpful business loans experts. We will offer you with details on repayment as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the date of early payout plus 1.5% of the principal remaining and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To help you avoid missing payment dates and to align your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Protecting your information, and being upfront about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and secure your information, is of huge importance and is an essential element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption standards to secure your sensitive, personal as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to customer security and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly verify the bank account details online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner uses the assets they have to obtain the loan. The asset could be a personal asset like the family home, or an business asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The vast majority of the lenders even the big banks, tend to secure loans against an asset. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be transferred to the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already have.
What do I require security to get a company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money however, we require a personal guarantee. need a personal guarantee. As long as you follow your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document) the security of assets is not needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, you can get personal ensure and security that is in the form a charge over assets.