FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional company loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans are based on an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. We offer a business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount due, which includes any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for almost any business purpose including control of cash flow company remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Concerning Larger Epuni Business Loans
What is the Larger Epuni Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to be trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. The applicant must also 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 demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be utilised?
A large company loan is a great option for almost any business need, including business remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment or as 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 necessary to access funding over $150,000. This is in the form of a charge on assets, and could be registered on the PPSR or making as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay credit that is general in nature, rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally liable if the business borrower is unable to re-pay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register run by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide the public notice of a legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of $250K or more, we may offer an initial pre-approval that will help simplify the process. We might 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 a preliminary assessment which includes answering a couple of financial health checks. It’s in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of funds. Unconditional approval is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could have different conditions.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You are eligible to apply for an business loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is quick and simple. Just complete the online application in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company expert in lending will contact you to guide you through the process.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables Summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application in quality company hours and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to offer a decision within just 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most effective method is to make sure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use our modern bank verification link to check your bank’s information online. If you opt to send us the copies of bank statements it will take a little longer.
How quickly will I receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer within one hour – provided you submit your request in normal business hours and permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you opt to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we may be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within the space of 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining how much we can lend you health that is your business as well as the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as well-being of your business and the level of payments your company can support. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the specifics the company.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to make an application for the company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised offer including loan amount, term and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any interest rates, fees or charges.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates vary due to factors including the amount that is borrowed, what company assets the funds will be used for as well as the field the business operates in, the long the company has been running, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to cover the loan, and general well-being and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden costs with our business loans, and you’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and no extra fees (as as long as you pay your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you decide to take the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you choose to do this please talk to one of our helpful company credit experts. We will provide you with details on repayment and an early payout figure. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and accrued interest to the date of early payout, plus 1.5% of the principal remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line with your cash flow standard, we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. These are automatically withdrawn from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being transparent about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is of huge importance and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive and financial data and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to the security of our customers as well as their privacy. We use an advanced bank verification system that allows you to instantly confirm your bank account information online to offer a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the company owner uses an asset that they own to obtain the loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home or an company asset such as a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of banks, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing additional financing using the value of what you already own.
Are I require security to secure a company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, the requirement for asset security is not required in advance to gain access to the funds, however we do need the personal guarantee. In the event that you fulfill the terms of your loan (as stated in your loan contract) Asset security will never be required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally there is personal ensure and security that is in the form an asset charge.