A small business loan is the first step as you will require funds to grow your business. Small business loans are available for all kinds of people that have good credit scores or bad credit scores. The most important task to obtaining a loan is preparing a business plan. When applying for loan you will want to have an accurate and current balance sheet which will act well when contacting the lenders. The business plan needs to show the lender that providing you with a loan is a low-risk proposition. So the key is preparation. In other words, the loan is not being granted on the status of your business, but being granted on your personal financial status. If you do not have assets, an unsecured business loan would be right for you.
Getting a loan might be difficult during the first two years. During this time most businesses face challenges involved with not only opening their doors, but hiring, training, meeting the demands of customers, clients, suppliers, and vendors. Businesses with a history demonstrating success in paying their bills on time will have the easiest time obtaining a financing because they’ve proven their ability to meet financial obligations. Business loans for start-ups are one way to keep things afloat but they are by no means that only answer to cash flow problems.
The three steps to finding a small business loan are working with the right bank, making a clean application, and negotiating the best interest rate. We review the three below.
Find the right bank
Business startup capital may be available from a variety of sources, such as banks, private investors, venture capital firms, and finance companies. Banks and other lending institutions cite risk factors as the main reason for turning down loan requests from startup businesses. Banks are more apt to offer loans to qualified customers with whom they already have an account in good standing. Banks are not keen on making very small loans, because fixed overhead costs don’t make them profitable. Banks want to see that you have a well thought out plan for how you are currently or how you intend to make the business profitable and repay the loan on time. Banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions have stated that if they think you are placing them at a potential financial risk they will decline your application for the loan all together. Banks believe that this will make them more consistent lenders, rather than being forced to reign in credit as the economy takes a dive. Large banks and lenders have more rigid rules for smaller businesses and the processes that they employ are more complicated for small business loans.
Applying for the small business loan
Before you apply for financing it is worth checking if you are eligible for a grant. The government has business grants available for certain kinds of smaller businesses. When applying, You will need to share all of your personal and business financial information. It is beneficial to apply with a financial institution that already has information on file and is familiar with your profile and spending habits. If the process to apply for a small business loan is not effective and you have been turned down by many lenders, a last resort will be to contact the Small Business Administration for help.
Find the best rates
Interest rates vary depending upon the credit history of the business owner. Interest rates may be fixed or variable. Variable or fixed rates is something you need to decide upon. Typically you will get lower rates on variable loans, but you usually have a shorter time period of having a fixed rate. With all of the credit tightening going on, smaller companies are affected more than large firms. Because these loans are unsecured without collateral, the interest rates are typically higher than a secured loan. Still try to negotiate rates and payment plans with each credit entity. Also, the interest on a business loan is tax deductible.
When looking for financing be sure to find the right type of financial institution. Your local bank is usually the best place to start because you probably have information with them already. But, maybe your lender could even be a family member. Keep your options open. When applying for a loan make sure you include your business plan so the bank understands how you plan to receive income and pay back their loan. Small business loans are riskier to lend to because the bank is betting on a plan. Don’t feel angry that you might be paying 1%-5% more than normal secured loans, be happy that you are getting a loan.