HOLA
Active member
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
Understand how you intend to use business financing, how much funding you need and how you intend to repay the loan. Be able to communicate this clearly and confidently with prospective lenders.
UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT SITUATION
If you are an existing business, are you profitable, and does your balance sheet have positive equity? What does your credit look like? Have a clear understanding of any existing liens and lien priority. Know your credit score and answers to derogatory credit issues (liens, judgments, slow pays, collection actions) before presenting your application. If there have been credit, profitability or equity issues in the past, present a credible argument as to why these issues have been resolved or how this loan will change this situation.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
All lending is critiqued from a risk standpoint. Certain levels of risk will qualify for certain types of financing. The level of risk is reflected in the cost of the financing. The more secure a lender's money is, the less it costs you. Get creative. Financing takes many forms, and is available from a wide range of sources.
Standard (conventional) bank financing usually offers the best interest rates, however it is the most difficult to qualify for. These loans appear as a long-term liability on the business balance sheet. Conventional loans are available through banks and other lending institutions and can be guaranteed in whole or part by the SBA.
Revolving Lines of Credit are another form of business financing. This type of loan is secured by accounts receivable or inventory and is available from a bank or an Asset Based Lender. Credit cards are a form of revolving line of credit. An Asset-Based Line of Credit (ABL) is considered alternative financing and is available to borrowers who are too highly leveraged for a bank.
Understand how you intend to use business financing, how much funding you need and how you intend to repay the loan. Be able to communicate this clearly and confidently with prospective lenders.
UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT SITUATION
If you are an existing business, are you profitable, and does your balance sheet have positive equity? What does your credit look like? Have a clear understanding of any existing liens and lien priority. Know your credit score and answers to derogatory credit issues (liens, judgments, slow pays, collection actions) before presenting your application. If there have been credit, profitability or equity issues in the past, present a credible argument as to why these issues have been resolved or how this loan will change this situation.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
All lending is critiqued from a risk standpoint. Certain levels of risk will qualify for certain types of financing. The level of risk is reflected in the cost of the financing. The more secure a lender's money is, the less it costs you. Get creative. Financing takes many forms, and is available from a wide range of sources.
Standard (conventional) bank financing usually offers the best interest rates, however it is the most difficult to qualify for. These loans appear as a long-term liability on the business balance sheet. Conventional loans are available through banks and other lending institutions and can be guaranteed in whole or part by the SBA.
Revolving Lines of Credit are another form of business financing. This type of loan is secured by accounts receivable or inventory and is available from a bank or an Asset Based Lender. Credit cards are a form of revolving line of credit. An Asset-Based Line of Credit (ABL) is considered alternative financing and is available to borrowers who are too highly leveraged for a bank.
