Small business lender readiness NZ
A lender-readiness guide for NZ owners preparing for finance, equipment funding or refinance.
What this guide covers
Lender readiness means showing how the business earns, pays bills and handles risk. A lender usually needs clean accounts, sustainable cash flow, debt capacity, a clear use of funds, realistic assumptions and evidence that the owner can deliver the plan without weakening the business.
The steps
Summarise the last 12 to 24 months of sales, GP, EBITDA and cash flow.
List current debt, repayments, tax obligations and any security already offered.
Explain the funding purpose and the expected operating impact.
Prepare a simple 90-day and 12-month plan with assumptions.
Identify risks that could weaken repayment capacity and how they will be managed.
What does a lender look for first?
Evidence that the business can service debt from sustainable cash flow, not just optimistic sales forecasts.
What should the use of funds explain?
Show what the money buys, why it is needed, how it improves the business and what happens if the benefit is slower than expected.
Can Merit Mana approve finance?
No. Merit Mana can help owners prepare evidence and questions, but finance decisions sit with lenders and advisors.