Securing a small business loan; Where to apply for it?

For whatever reason (cash flow, expanding the team, covering an emergency, buying equipment, etc.), you will require access to financing at some time in the lifecycle of your business. There are a variety of options for obtaining small business loans that are essential to maintaining and expanding your small business.

Where to Apply

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Traditional commercial lenders were huge banks. These loans have the best rates and terms, but the application procedure might take months. Small enterprises can now get financing from traditional banks, government-guaranteed loans, and online lenders.

Four Sources for Your Small Business Loan

Business Term Loans

When most people think of a loan for a small business, they picture a term loan, which is a lump sum of cash that is repaid with periodical repayments at a fixed interest rate.

The payback period for a term loan is decided at the outset and might vary from a few months to many years. Business term loans typically have maturities between one and five years; however, term loan terms of any length are possible.

Term loans are used by business owners to make one time purchases and improvements, such as purchasing property, growing an existing firm, paying off existing debt, or a combination of these.

Businesses can get term loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Most people conceive of a small business loan as a term loan, which is repaid in installments at a fixed interest rate.

A term loan’s payback time is set at the outset and can be months or years. Business term loans generally have one- to five-year maturities, although any length is available.

Business owners use term loans to make one-time expenditures and renovations, such as buying property, growing a corporation, or paying off debt.

SBA

This is a loan guaranteed in part by the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA). Because they are backed whole are in part by the SBA, these loans are the easiest to obtain for your small business.

Working capital, inventory and equipment purchases, debt consolidation, and real estate purchases are just some of the many business expenses that qualify for funding under the Small Business Administration’s three primary loan programs (7(a), CDC/504, and micro-loan.

One of the most attractive aspects of SBA loans is their relatively low interest rates and extended repayment periods, making them a popular choice among businesses seeking finance. However, the application process might be tedious and the funding time longer.

Financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and even online loan companies all make available term loans to businesses. Small business term loans \usually include these basics:

  • Time to Obtain—Sometimes as soon as one day
  • Interest Rates—7 to 30%
  • Term of Loan—one to five years
  • Maximum amount – $600,000

Invoice Financing

Unpaid invoices can be used as collateral to secure a cash advance for business owners through invoice financing, also known as accounts receivable finance. When you work with an invoice financing company, they may advance up to 85% of the value of your bills; the remaining 15% (less costs) is yours to keep after your invoices are paid.

Invoice finance is popular among business owners because it is very simple to qualify for compared to other forms of small business loans. Because of the relief it provides from cash flow issues caused by unpaid client bills, invoice finance is a useful funding alternative for business-to-business and service-based enterprises.

Invoice Financing usually include these basics:

  • Repayment – Until the bill is paid in full by the consumer
  • Maximum amounts – As much as one hundred percent of the invoice total.
  • Fee – There is a 3% processing fee, plus a 1% factoring cost per week until the invoice is paid.
  • Time to Obtain—Sometimes as soon as one day

Business line of credit

A line of credit can be used by a company to gain access to a predetermined amount of money that can be borrowed as needed. With this type of loan, you can borrow up to a predetermined limit anytime you need money (usually between $50,000 and $500,000.) Withdrawing the funds does not trigger any payments or interest charges.

You can use the funds from your company’s line of credit to bridge any gaps in your cash flow, increase your working capital, deal with an unexpected expense, or take advantage of an opportunity that has presented itself.

A line of credit can be used by a company to gain access to a predetermined amount of money that can be borrowed as needed. With this type of loan, you can borrow up to a predetermined limit anytime you need money (usually between $50,000 and $500,000.) Withdrawing the funds does not trigger any payments or interest charges.

No matter how small your business may be or how quickly you want to grow, there are plenty of options to find the cash you need to achieve your dream.