Is this the same thing as a pre-approval?

Not exactly. A Day 0 bundle is the evidence pack that makes the assessment fast and clean. It supports a proper pre-approval style outcome because it removes missing info delays.

Why do lenders ask for more documents after I send a quote?

Because a quote alone doesn’t prove the borrower story. The most common missing piece is cashflow rhythm, which is why the Day 0 bundle includes the right basics in the right order.

Do I really need 12 months of statements for plant finance?

Most of the time, yes — it reduces assumptions. If you only send selected months, the deal can look volatile. A consistent 12-month set helps the lender read the rhythm properly.

What’s the fastest way to trigger follow-ups on a factory equipment deal?

An entity mismatch (quote buyer name vs applicant entity) and a bundled quote with unclear scope. Fixing the quote at the source is faster than trying to explain it later.

If my deal is urgent, should I submit first and tidy it later?

Usually no. Submitting messy often creates extra conditions and slows you down. A short Day 0 tidy-up (files named and aligned) is what makes urgent deals move.

Factory Plant Finance “Day 0” Submission Bundle (2026)

26 Jan

Written By Nick Lim

Factory plant finance submission bundle | Switchboard Finance

🏭 Manufacturing • Day 0 bundle • fewer follow-ups • cleaner assessment • 2026 • Business Owners Finance Hub

Factory Plant Finance “Day 0” Submission Bundle (2026): The 7 Files That Get Conditional Approval Without Follow-Ups

If your factory is upgrading plant or machinery, “Day 0” is the pack you send before the assessor asks — so assessment starts on the decision, not on a chain of follow-ups. If you want the quick context on how money moves in manufacturing (and where approvals get delayed), start here: Manufacturing Cashflow 101 (2026).

The goal is simple: one clean pass that proves (1) the asset, (2) the entity, and (3) the cashflow rhythm — without creating unnecessary Credit Enquiry noise from “submit-and-hope”.

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1) What “Day 0” means (and why it’s faster)

“Day 0” is the submission bundle you send first. Not more paperwork — the right 7 files, named cleanly, in the right order. It’s designed to stop assessors from pausing the file to chase basics.

If you want the fastest possible lane for established ABNs (when the deal fits), see: Fast-Track Asset Finance for ABN Holders. If your last deal dragged because of avoidable errors, fix the repeat causes here: Top 5 Mistakes Business Owners Make When Applying for Equipment Finance.

Real-life example: A manufacturer emailed “quote + a few statements” only. The lender came back with 6 follow-ups and the deal stalled. When we re-submitted with a Day 0 bundle (same deal, cleaner pack), assessment moved forward without the back-and-forth.

2) The 7 files (copy this exact bundle)

Keep it boring and obvious. The fastest files are the ones where the assessor can find everything in under 60 seconds.

#	File	What it must show	Common mistake (causes follow-ups)
1	Asset quote / invoice	Make/model, inclusions, delivery dates, supplier ABN, total price.	Bundled scope (machine + “misc”) with no line items.
2	Asset summary (1 page)	What it is, why you need it, how it improves throughput or cost.	No purpose statement (assessor has to guess).
3	Entity snapshot (1 page)	Trading name, structure, directors, trading address, ABN/ACN.	Buyer name doesn’t match the applicant entity.
4	12 months bank statements	Turnover rhythm, supplier runs, wages, rent/overheads consistency.	Selected months only (creates “volatility” assumptions).
5	Liabilities list (simple table)	Existing facilities, repayments, limits, and end dates.	Missing limits / repayment amounts.
6	Director ID (licence)	Consistent name + address across the pack.	Old address that doesn’t match the entity info.
7	One-paragraph “how it gets paid” note	Timing: deposit (if any), delivery, install, when cash returns.	No timing note = assessor adds conditions “just in case”.

Two quick rules (so the bundle actually works)

Rule 1: Name files clearly (e.g. “01-Quote.pdf”, “04-BankStatements-12M.pdf”).
Rule 2: Fix mismatches at the source (quote/entity) — don’t “explain it later”.

Real-life example: A $260k machine deal stalled because the quote was in the trading name but the application was in a different entity. Fixing the quote upfront prevented a rework cycle and reduced conditions.

3) What happens after you send it (48 hours vs days 3–7)

Day 0 gets you through the first pass cleanly. After that, timelines usually come down to valuation scheduling, entity checks, and settlement readiness.

If you want the step-by-step on what actually happens once your pack lands, read: Factory Plant Finance Approval Timeline (2026). When the deal is “asset-lane suitable” and you want a clean conversion path, this is the primary target: Low Doc Asset Finance.

Real-life example: Two identical factories applied for similar machinery. The only difference: one had a clean liabilities table (File #5), the other didn’t. The “missing liabilities” follow-up delayed conditional approval and pushed settlement out.

Summary

The Day 0 bundle is the fastest path to a clean conditional assessment: 7 files, named clearly, sent in the right order. It reduces follow-ups, prevents avoidable conditions, and keeps the deal moving.

If you’re upgrading factory plant and want the cleanest “asset lane” entry point, start here: Low Doc Asset Finance.

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