Tips on Getting a Business Loan
A business loan can help you start or grow your company but going through the process can be intimidating. Preparing for the application process can help you easily obtain the loan you need. A business finance broker will help you to put everything together. Below are tips on getting a business loan.
Have Good Credit
You have to make sure that you pay your bills on time. For your loan to be approved you will have to meet certain credit criteria. You should avoid charge-offs, late payments, and bankruptcy. Banks are so strict when it comes to credit requirements. They prefer to offer their low-rare business loans to borrowers with credit scores above 680 at least.
Apply for one loan at a time, applying for too many loans at once may kill your chances of obtaining any financing. Some lenders do a “hard pull” of your credit score so it can knock a few points off your credit score. Start by applying for the loan that you have the best chance of securing and then work from there.
Understand the Different Loans Available
Determine the type of business loan that is right for you. A startup financing requires cash flow to support repayment of the loan. If you want to manage day-to-day expenses a business line of credit will make so much sense. This kind of funding lets you tap into the financing as needed to cover expenses like payroll and unexpected business costs.
If you want to grow your business consider a government-backed SBA loan or traditional term loan which has higher borrowing maximums. An SBA loan can take 30 to 90 days to complete. You will be required to produce much more documentation as well. Ignore the myth that says it’s hard to get your loan approved for a small business.
Do a Comparison of the Lenders
If you own a small business there are three main lenders; online lenders, banks, and nonprofit microlenders. Online lenders provide loans from about $1000 to $5 million and the average percentage rate ranges from 6% to 99% depending on the lender, type and size of the loan, repayment period, borrower’s credit history, and whether collateral is required.
Some online lenders’ approval rates are higher and funding is faster than with banks. Traditional bank options include term loans, lines of credit, and commercial mortgages to buy properties. Microlenders are nonprofits that lend short-term loans of less than $50000.
Prepare Your Documents
You must be transparent with the financial state of your business. Before getting into the application process you should keep your documents in order. The business should have a system to keep everything organized. The financial, accounting and tax records must be up-to-date and accurate.
Get someone to handle your bookkeeping to avoid mistakes. Consider hiring an accountant to help you look at the books without emotions when making tough decisions. Depending on your lender you will need to submit documents such as business and bank statements.
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