What is the easiest business loan to get?
The easiest business loan to secure is one that has minimal requirements for your annual revenue, time in business and credit score. This makes it possible for startups to meet a lender's qualifications. Straightforward and simple application processes also make getting a loan easier.
Do startup business loans require personal guarantees?
Some lenders require collateral, while others ensure your loan is covered by requiring personal guarantees. It is rare to find a small business loan that doesn't require some level of insurance. Personal guarantees are usually required, especially if the startup loan is unsecured. This is a lender's way of making sure your debt gets paid back, even if it's not directly through your business.
Do business loan providers look at personal credit?
It is common for lenders to check your personal credit, especially if you are a new business owner. When you are just starting a company, you don't have a financial history for your business, which means you don't have any business credit. So, a lender's only option to determine whether you qualify would be to check your personal financial history.
What credit score is needed for a small business loan?
It really depends on the lender. For some, a credit score of 550 will suffice, while others require a score of at least 600. Remember that the lower your credit score is, the higher the interest rate you can expect to pay.
Can you get a startup business loan with bad credit?
It can be hard to get a loan or financing with bad credit, so if this is your situation, look into lenders that consider more than just your credit score. Credit score will always hold some weight, but if there are other attributes of your financial history and behavior that make you look trustworthy, it's possible to get approved for a startup loan from certain lenders.
What assets can be used to secure a business loan?
There is a wide range of assets you can use to secure a business loan. Real estate, land, equipment, inventory and accounts receivable are all types of assets you can use as collateral.
What are the repayment terms for SBA loans?
There are different types of SBA loans, and once you qualify, your repayment plan options are based on the terms of the loan. If you have a loan with a fixed interest rate, you'll pay the same amount each payment date. If you have a loan with a variable interest rate, the amount you pay may change; for example, if you have a cash advance or your loan is based on a prime rate. If that rate goes up, so, too, does the amount you pay.
Repayments can be made on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis depending on the terms you agreed on with your lender. The preferred payment method is an automatic payment that pulls money directly from your account. This ensures that payments are made regularly and on time.
How do you choose the right loan for your business?
Small business loans come in many varieties, and shopping for one requires you to focus on more than just the interest rate.
Before you decide on the type of loan to pursue, you'll need to know which ones you'll actually get approved for. A quick look at your credit score and debt-to-equity ratio will clue you in. Some lenders require a high credit score, while others are willing to lend to subprime borrowers. Having a good idea of your credit score will help you narrow down the list.
You must also weigh the cost to borrow, including the interest rate, fees and any prepayment penalties. The terms – the length of time you have to pay it back – and any application fees should also factor into your decision. By doing some homework, you can make sure you are applying for a loan that makes sense for your unique business.
What documentation do you need to qualify for a business loan?
When considering you for a business loan, lenders may require some documentation that is unique to them, but there are some key documents that every financial institution requires for the underwriting process. These include your business financial statements, such as a balance sheet, income statement or profit-and-loss statement, and your statement of shareholder equity.
Lenders may require three months' worth of your checking account statements. You'll also need to provide your income taxes for the last three years, paperwork pertaining to any businesses you have a financial stake in, and your business license or certification. If you're renting office space or equipment as part of your operations, you'll want to have those leases easily accessible as well.
What type of loan is a small business loan?
Small business loans have varying interest rates and terms. Here are three of the most common options.
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Business line of credit: This is a popular choice among business owners who need flexibility. Instead of receiving a lump sum, you draw money as you need it.
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Business term loan: Typically provided by banks and credit unions, this type of loan is usually funded in a lump sum, and you have a predetermined amount of time to pay it back. The interest rate is typically fixed.
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Small Business Administration loan: These are geared toward small business owners who are just starting out or in need of funding. Because the SBA backs most of the loan, banks, credit unions and lenders are more willing to extend money to small business owners who may not be eligible for term loans.
Can you get a business loan if you have bad credit?
Banks and credit unions extend loans to business owners with excellent credit scores. Unwilling to take on the risk of not being paid back, they typically won't look at you if your score is under 680. That doesn't mean you can't get a business loan if you have bad credit, though. There's a whole industry of alternative lenders waiting to serve you.
Small business owners with bad credit can get loans with terms of three years or less from alternative lenders, but the interest on these loans will be higher for borrowers with poor credit scores. Hard money loans are another option if you're willing to put up collateral. Instead of judging you on your credit score, these lenders require an asset – usually real estate – to back the loan.
How important is your credit profile in applying for a small business loan?
Credit score has a big impact on small business loans. It dictates the interest you pay and whether you're even eligible. In many cases, you need a good credit score to be approved for a small business loan. According to credit rating agency Experian, a credit score of 700 or above is considered good; a score of 800 or higher is excellent. You can still get a business loan with a score in the mid-600s, but it won't be easy, and you'll pay more in interest. Experian said the average credit score is between 600 and 750.
What payback terms can you get for your small business startup loan?
The payback term is the amount of time you have to pay back a loan. Depending on the type of loan, the payback terms could be as short as six months or as long as 25 years. For example, Small Business Administration loans have terms from five to 25 years. Your funding needs will dictate the terms. Short-term loans last no more than two years, while a long-term loan has an average span of five years.
Where can you find an SBA loan application?
If you're looking for an SBA loan, a good place to start is the SBA's Lender Match tool. It's a free online resource that hooks up business owners with SBA-approved lenders. To use it, you answer a few questions about your business, and within two days, you'll receive an email with contact information for the lenders that are willing to work with you. After you compare rates, you apply with whichever lender you choose. This tool is not for SBA disaster relief loans.
If you don't want to wait the two days for the SBA to match you with compatible lenders, you can do your own internet search for SBA-approved lenders and apply with them directly through their websites.
What is a business installment loan, and why would I need one?
A business installment loan is a common method of financing an asset like property or expensive business equipment. With it, you pay for your purchase over a set period of time. The amount of the loan and the number of payments to repay it are fixed; you don't have access to an ongoing line of credit or credit card.
Installment loans can be used for many purposes, such as purchasing equipment, funding a startup or paying for property. If you are looking for an installment loan to fund a startup, you'll need good credit, collateral, a business plan – and potentially additional guarantees, depending on your credit standing and business prospects.
Installment loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, but you risk losing your collateral if you default on the loan. That's not true of a credit card.
What is a business line of credit, and how does it work?
A business line of credit differs from a business loan in terms of how you access the money you are borrowing and how you pay interest on it. With a business line of credit, you don't take out a lump sum and pay interest on all of it. Rather, a line of credit is similar to a credit card: You draw funds from the line of credit when needed and pay interest only on the amount you used.
Lines of credits can range from $1,000 to $250,000, or even larger in some instances, though that's not as common. Lines of credits tend to have variable interest rates, which means you'll pay less when rates are low and more when interest rates are high.
With an unsecured line of credit, you don't have to provide collateral, but the lender may require a personal guaranty. With a secured line of credit, you're required to offer something of value if you can't repay the loan. Common types of collateral include property or business equipment. [Read related article: Unsecured vs. Secured Business Loans]
What is the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act?
The Paycheck Protection Program or PPP is a loan program designed to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. It was passed as part of the CARES Act, giving small business owners access to forgivable loans if the money was used to keep employees on the payroll. The program was very popular, though funds quickly ran out, and provided a lifeline to countless businesses.
With the pandemic worsening as we enter 2021, Congress approved another round of PPP funding in late December of $284 billion in forgivable loans to small business owners. If a small business previously received a PPP loan but sales still fell 25% or more, they can apply for a new PPP loan.
WHEN IS IT A GOOD TIME TO TAKE OUT A BUSINESS LOAN?
Many business owners look for a loan when they need the money. They may have identified an opportunity to expand or noticed a shortage in cash flow. They then scramble to get the funding, focusing more on the time it will take to get cash in the bank than the terms of the loan.
The better strategy is to line up funding before you need it. That will give you the time to shop for a loan that has a low interest rate, charges little in the way of fees, and meets your terms. Having cash at the ready will better position your business to handle the unexpected.