What is a business loan.
What is a business loan.
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A business loan is a loan specifically intended for business purposes. As with all loans, it involves the creation of a debt, which will be repaid with added interest. There are a number of different types of business loans, including bank loans, mezzanine financing, asset-based financing, invoice financing, microloans, business cash advances and cash flow loans.
Getting a small business loan is done by applying with a business lender, typically your bank or another lending institution, with the right documentation and your business plan. A business loan can help to resolve cash flow problems, leverage growth opportunities, and even increase the value of a business. Making sure to plan for a loan ahead of time is extremely important, as is knowing the documentation needed by your lender when you do apply.
We cover this information and more in our small business loan guide:
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How Does a Business Loan Work? The Fundamentals.
To start, we need to address some fundamentals before we dive into all the answers on how exactly business loans work. Put simply, this question has a lot of potential answers, all of which can be correct, depending on the situation you find yourself and your business in. Because the market of small business loans is constantly evolving as technology, regulations, and preferences shift, there are infinitely many ways in which a business loan could work. That said, the easiest way to break down how business loans work is to answer based on what type of business loan you’re dealing with. So, though the various types of business loans are constantly shifting along with the industry they constitute, we’ll attempt to comprehensively answer the question, “How does a business loan work?” by looking at how each type of business loan works.So, without further ado, let’s get started breaking down how business loans work.
Types of Business Loans and How They Work.
- Term loans
A term loan is a common form of business financing. You get a lump sum of cash upfront, which you then repay with interest over a predetermined period. Online lenders offer term loans up to $1 million and can provide faster funding than banks that offer small-business loans.
Pros: Get cash upfront to invest in your business. Typically allow you to borrow a higher amount than other types of loans. Funding is fast if you use an online lender rather than a traditional bank; typically a few days to a week versus up to several months.
Cons: May require a personal guarantee or collateral — an asset such as real estate or business equipment that the lender can sell if you default.
Costs can vary; term loans from online lenders typically carry higher costs than those from traditional banks.
Best for: Businesses looking to expand. Borrowers who have good credit and a strong business and who don’t want to wait long for funding.
2. SBA loans
The Small Business Administration guarantees these loans, which are offered by banks and other lenders. Repayment periods on SBA loans depend on how you plan to use the money. They range from seven years for working capital to 10 years for buying equipment and 25 years for real estate purchases.
Pros: Some of the lowest rates on the market. You can borrow up to $5 million. Long repayment terms.
Cons: Hard to qualify. Long and rigorous application process.
Best for: Businesses looking to expand or refinance existing debts.
Strong-credit borrowers who can wait a long time for funding.
3. Business lines of credit
A business line of credit provides access to funds up to your credit limit, and you pay interest only on the money you’ve drawn. It can provide more flexibility than a term loan.
Pros: Flexible way to borrow. Typically unsecured, so no collateral required.
Cons: May carry additional costs, such as maintenance fees and draw fees.Strong revenue and credit required.
Best for: Short-term financing needs, managing cash flow or handling unexpected expenses.
Seasonal businesses.
4. Equipment loans.
Equipment loans help you buy equipment for your business, sometimes including semi truck financing. (Business auto loans are available for cars, vans and light trucks.) An equipment loan’s term typically is matched up with the expected life span of the equipment, and the equipment serves as collateral for the loan. Rates will depend on the value of the equipment and the strength of your business.
Pros: You own the equipment and build equity in it. You can get competitive rates if you have strong credit and business finances.
Cons: You may have to come up with a down payment. Equipment can become outdated more quickly than the length of your financing.
Best for: Businesses that want to own equipment outright.
5. Invoice factoring.
Let’s say your business has unpaid customer invoices, which are typically paid in 60 days. If you need cash now, you can get money for those unpaid invoices through invoice factoring. You’d sell the invoices to a factoring company, which would be responsible for collecting from the customer when the invoice is due.
Pros: Fast cash for your business. Easier approval than traditional funding options.
Cons: Costly compared with other options. You lose control over the collection of your invoices.
Best for: Businesses with unpaid invoices that need fast cash.
Businesses with reliable customers on long payment terms (30, 60 or 90 days).
6. Invoice financing.
This is similar to invoice factoring, but instead of selling your unpaid invoices to a factoring company, you use the invoices as collateral to get a cash advance.
Pros: Fast cash. Your customers won’t know their invoice is being financed.
Cons: Costly compared with other options. You’re still responsible for collecting the invoice payment.
Best for: Businesses looking to turn unpaid invoices into fast cash.
Businesses that want to maintain control over their invoices.
7. Merchant cash advances.
You get a lump sum of cash upfront that you can use to finance your business. Instead of making one fixed payment each month from a bank account as you would with a term loan, you make payments on a merchant cash advance either by withholding a percentage of your credit and debit card sales daily, or by fixed daily or weekly withdrawals from a bank account.
Pros: Fast cash. Unsecured financing.
Cons: Some of the highest borrowing costs — up to 350% in some cases.
Frequent repayments can create cash flow problems.
Best for: Businesses that have high and consistent credit card sales and can handle frequent repayments.
Businesses that can’t get financing anywhere else and can’t wait for capital.
8. Personal loans.
It is possible to use a personal loan for business purposes. It’s an option for startups, as banks typically don’t lend to businesses with no operating history. Approval for these loans is based solely on your personal credit score, but you’ll need good credit to qualify.
Pros: Startups and newer businesses can qualify. Fast funding.
Cons: High borrowing costs.
Small borrowing amounts of up to $50,000.
Failure to repay can hurt your credit.
Best for: Startups and newer businesses with strong personal credit.
Borrowers willing to risk damaging their credit score.
9. Business credit cards.
Business credit cards are revolving lines of credit. You can draw from and repay the card as needed, as long as you make minimum monthly payments and don’t exceed the credit limit. They are typically best used for financing ongoing expenses, such as travel, office supplies and utilities.
Pros: Earn rewards on your purchases. No collateral required.
Cons: High cost, with a variable rate that may rise.
Extra fees may apply.
Best for: Ongoing business expenses.
10. Microloan.
Microloans are small loans — $50,000 or less — offered by nonprofit organizations and mission-based lenders. These loans typically are available to startups, newer businesses and businesses in disadvantaged communities.
Pros: Low cost. Other services may be provided, such as consulting and training.
Cons: Smaller loan amounts.
You may have to meet stringent eligibility requirements.
Best for: Startups and businesses in disadvantaged communities.
Businesses seeking only a small amount of financing.
How the Business Loan Application Process Works.
BECTIC FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED
website : becticfinance.com
Email : info@becticfinance.com
Sktype : bruce.fung001@outlook.com
Now that we’ve covered the fundamental logistics to how each type of business loan works it’s time to check out how getting each type of business loan works. Most loan types come with minimum requirements that borrowers need to meet in order to be eligible to apply for the loan. Plus, they all come with their own requirements for documents you’ll need to have in order to apply. Let’s run through each of the business loan types and what their minimum qualification and their documentation requirements are for their application processes.
Term Loan.
A business term loan can be tough to qualify for, but it’s one of the top types of business loans on the market. In order to be eligible to apply for this type of business loan, you and your business need two-plus years in business, 650+ credit score, and $300,000 or more in annual revenue. If you and your business meet those minimum requirements, you will need to compile paperwork to apply for a short-term loan:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Proof of Ownership
4, Bank Statements
5, Balance Sheet
6, Profit and Loss Statements
7, Credit Score
8, Personal and Business Tax Returns.
Short-Term Loan.
On the other hand, the short-term loan provides slightly more accessible funding. In order to be eligible to apply for a short-term loan, you and your business need one-plus years in business, 550+ credit score, and $50,000+ in annual revenue. If you and your business meet those minimum requirements, you will need to compile paperwork to apply for a short- term loan:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Balance Sheet
5, Profit and Loss Statements
6, Credit Score
7, Personal and Business Tax Returns
Equipment Financing.
Next up, equipment financing generally carries the minimum requirements of 11+ months in business, 600+ credit score, and $100,000+ in annual revenue. If you and your business can check off all of those boxes, then you can move on in the process of applying for equipment financing — you’ll just need to gather these documents in order to submit an application:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Credit Score
5, Business Tax Returns
6, Equipment Quote
Invoice Financing.
In contrast to most other loan types, invoice financing won’t come with a personal credit minimum requirements — you and your business will just need at least six months in business and $50,000+ in annual revenue in order to be eligible to apply for invoice financing. If your business meets those two requirements, then you’ll just need to get these documents together in order to apply:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Credit Score
5, Outstanding Invoices
SBA Loans.
Because they offer the most ideal terms, SBA loans will have the highest minimum requirements — you and your business will need at least two years in business, 620+ credit score, and $100,000+ in annual revenue in order to be eligible to apply for an SBA loan. Not to mention, because SBA loans involve a government agency, you’ll also need to provide a good deal of paperwork for your application. Be sure to have the following documents compiled when you apply for an SBA loan:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Balance Sheet
5, Profit and Loss Statements
6, Personal and Business Tax Returns
7, Business Plan
8, Business Debt Schedule
Business Lines of Credit.
Just like invoice financing, business lines of credit won’t come with a minimum personal credit score requirement. In order to be eligible to apply for a business line of credit, your business will just need at least six months in business and $50,000+ in annual revenue. If your business can check off those minimum requirements, then you’ll just need to gather the following paperwork to apply for a business line of credit:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Balance Sheet
5, Profit and Loss Statements
6, Credit Score
7, Business Tax Returns
8, Personal Tax Returns
Merchant Cash Advances.
Last up, merchant cash advances are some of the easiest types of business financing to qualify and apply for. In order to fulfill the minimum requirements for a merchant cash advance, you and your business will just need at least five months in business, 400+ credit score, and $75,000+ in annual revenue. To apply for a merchant cash advance, you’ll need to gather six documents to submit to your potential lender:
1, Driver’s License
2, Voided Business Check
3, Bank Statements
4, Credit Score
5, Business Tax Returns
6, Credit Card Processing Statements
How Does Business Loan Repayment Work?
BECTIC FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED
website : becticfinance.com
Email : info@becticfinance.com
Sktype : bruce.fung001@outlook.com
Each loan type will come with its own requirements for repayment, as that’s one of the main things that separates one loan from another. Term loans, for example, generally offer longer repayment terms, which is helpful for businesses looking to make monthly payments. Short-term loans, on the other hand, typically require weekly or daily payments, which could significantly cut into your cash flow. Equipment financing is a little different, and the terms of the loan are as long as the projected life of the equipment you buy, so there may not be a set payback plan, as it will change depending on the piece of equipment. Invoice financing is another one where the payback isn’t as traditional as some other loans. You basically pay off the loan once you receive payment on the invoice.
SBA loans are known for being a little complicated, but they are also known for being easier to pay off. The repayment terms are never shorter than five years and can be as long as 25 years. Like SBA loans, business lines of credit can also be complicated but can be paid off in as little as six months or as long as five years.
Finally, merchant cash advances are paid off with daily draws on your credit card sales — provided you make sales each day. The takeaway here is that business loan repayment differs depending on the type of business loan you have. Always read the loan agreement so you fully understand what you’re signing up for before you take out a loan.
How to pick the right loan for your business.
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There are many different types of business loans, and each works a little differently. To find out which one is best for you, start by considering where your business stands. If it’s a brand new startup, you’ll be limited to just a few options, such as business credit cards and invoice financing. If, however, you’ve been in business for years and have strong financials, you may have your pick of any type of loan.
As you compare different options, think about what you need out of a loan. For example, do you want a revolving line of credit or a lump-sum payment? Would you prefer installment payments or a cash flow-based payment? How sensitive are you to interest rates, and is it worth it to wait to borrow until you’re in a better financial position?
As you consider all of these factors, it’ll be easier to narrow down your choices. Once you decide which type of loan is right for you, take some more time to compare different lenders that offer that loan. Because each lender has different creditworthiness criteria and loan terms, shopping around will improve your chances of getting the lowest interest rate and best terms possible.
BECTIC FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED
website : becticfinance.com
Email : info@becticfinance.com
Sktype : bruce.fung001@outlook.com
#bankinstrumentproviders, #StandbyLetterofCreditprovider, #sblcproviders, #leasebgsblc, #leasesblc, #leasebankinstruments, #businessloans, #businessloanlender, #smeloans, #nonrecourseloans #becticfinancecompanylimited, Bank Instruments Providers, Bank Guarantee (BG) Providers, Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) Provider’s, Bank Instrument (BG/SBLC) Monetizers.