FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow-friendly repayments, which are either daily or weekly.
What is this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes by phone. You will receive an immediate response, and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans have an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. This business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either weekly or daily repayment figure.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any business purpose including the management of cash flow, company improvements, advertising for purchasing inventory or new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
About 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 company growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a term fixed that can last up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. It is necessary to 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 minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can I use the funds for?
A large business loan can be used to fund almost all company use, including business improvements, purchasing inventory or new equipment for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for funding of more than $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets and can include the registration of this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a guarantee to pay off a credit line that is general in nature, rather than defining security over a particular asset. The person signing the ensure is personally accountable if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date a security interest has been registered.
The caveat can be described as a formal document that is filed to provide notice of a legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000, we may offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We might be able to do this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment that includes answering a couple of financial well-being questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you might receive could be on different terms.
Application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You can apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K or $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and a dedicated company expert in lending will be in touch to guide you through the process.
To apply for 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.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K-$250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How soon will I hear an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we can often provide an answer within one hour if you apply during quality company times and allow us to utilise the bank verification system to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K or more) we may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest method can be make sure you apply during standard company hours and allow us to use the advance bank verification link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statement, it takes a bit longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within an hour, provided you make your application at normal business timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to offer the decision within 1 business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) We may be able to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending on the circumstances of each application. Some agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours and let us use the advance bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you upload documents from your account statements, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a variety of aspects that determine your well-being of your business and the amount of payments your company can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specific circumstances that are unique to your company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we consider a variety of elements to assess your health for your business and the level of repayments that your business can afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the specifics of your company.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
When you request business loans with us company credit, we’ll assess the risk profile the business and offer you with a customised offer, including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. This company loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the rate that I’m charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on a variety of factors such as the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money will be used for, the industry the business is in, how long the company has been in operation, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, as well as the overall health and creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our company loans, and you’ll be aware of the amount it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from day one. There’s no compounding interest, and there are no additional charges (as as you make your payments on time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with no cost upfront or obligation to proceed.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated in establishing and managing the loan. The only way to pay this fee if you choose to proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the total amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loans experts. The experts will provide you with repayment details as well as an early payout amount. This will be calculated as the sum of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of early payout, plus 1.5% of the remaining principal and any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure that you don’t miss payments and to work your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically withdrawn from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
Security of your data, and being clear about how we collect the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is vital and a vital element of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your sensitive, personal financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and security. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online, allowing us 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 an company owner utilises the assets they have to obtain a loan. The asset can be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home or a company asset such as a truck or piece or equipment.
The majority of lending institutions, including the largest banks, are inclined to guarantee loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, then your asset may be transferred to the lender. In essence it is means of securing new funding using the value of what you already have.
What do I require security to get a business loan?
For loans of up to $150K, there is no requirement for asset security upfront to access the money, however we require a personal guarantee. require an individual guarantee. In the event that you fulfill your loan commitments (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is the option of a personal ensure and security in the form an asset charge.