FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Epuni Small Business Loans
Tell me how you are able to avail the Epuni Small Business Loans
Epuni unsecured loans offers amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
What makes this Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
Apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an answer within the same day and funds may be in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest plus other fees and charges. This company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll know ahead of time the total amount payable including the interest, fees and charges. This is then broken down into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company use, including managing cash flows, company improvements, advertising to purchase inventory, new equipment, to fund general working capital and 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 size loan to aid in company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan in this amount, your business needs to be operating for at least three years with an annual turnover of $700K. It is necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) over 18 years, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funding be used for?
A large company loan can be used to fund almost any company purpose including business renovations, to purchase equipment or inventory for general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is necessary to obtain funding above $150,000. It is usually as a result of an charge against assets and can include registration through the PPSR or filing as a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than specifying security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally liable in the event that the business borrower is unable to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are granted to individuals who own personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be assigned in accordance with the date on which a security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to offer an official notice of a claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval that will help ease the process. We could be able to make this decision without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval process is based on a preliminary assessment which includes you answering a few financial well-being questions. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you may receive may be based 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, have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of business (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just complete the online application in few minutes and an experienced business expert in lending will contact you to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s Licence) and an active NZBN/IRD, and at least 6 months of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll also require:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year as well as Aged Payables and Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour, provided you submit your request within quality company time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in just the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we might be capable of offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed your pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in just 24 hours.
The most effective method can be make sure you apply during standard company hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
How fast will I get the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) We can usually offer an answer in just one hour – as long as you apply in normal business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to provide the decision within one business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we may be likely to provide you with pre-approval conditional to your application in about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours. Also, permit us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload duplicates of your banking accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects to determine your health that is your business and the extent of repayments 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 business.
When you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your business as well as the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be determined by the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to request the business loans, we will assess the risk profile for your business and offer you with a customised offer that includes the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount due, which includes any charges or interest.
What determines the rate that I am charged?
Business loan interest rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, the company assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company operates in, how long the company has been in operation as well as whether the company has sufficient cash flow to cover the loan, as well as the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden costs with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely what you’ll be required to pay, and at what time, from the day you sign up. 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 can apply for a loan no cost upfront or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can choose to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you do decide to do this please speak to our friendly business lending professionals. They will provide you with details for repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining plus any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
In order to help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow schedule, we offer repayments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being upfront about the ways we gather the information we collect, use, share and protect your information, is of paramount importance 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 standards to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our dedication to security for our customers and security. We utilise a sophisticated banking verification system to instantly verify the bank account details online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a business owner uses an asset they own to secure the funding. The asset can be an individual asset, such as the family home, or an company asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by assets. If you have trouble paying back the loan, the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is the process of securing new financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Do I need security for a company loan?
For loans up to $150,000 the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money but we require a personal guarantee. require 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. For loans that exceed $150K, generally there is personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.