Personal and Business Loans

If you are considering a start up business loan to finance your new venture, be certain that you have all the facts.Fully understanding the commercial loan process is paramount to making the right decision.

Let’s explore the 5 key factors which shape the entire loan approval process.

Key Factor #1:Do you have a sound business plan?

In addition to the loan application paperwork, a commercial lender will need to see your small business plan.You must prove that your business is viable on paper and demonstrate exactly how and when your new business will turn a profit.No reputable lender will hand over a loan check without first ensuring that your new business will have the ability to pay back the borrowed funds.

Key Factor #2:Do you have good personal credit?

Even with the best possible small business plan, it is highly unlikely that you will be approved for a start up business loan without a reasonable credit history.A lender determines the lending risk by evaluating your personal credit worthiness.Please understand and consider that you are entering into a legally binding agreement in which you promise to make timely, scheduled repayments.Your past credit history is the only evidence available to a potential lender, indicating how you have repaid other debtors in the past.

Key Factor #3:What collateral do you have to secure the loan?

Notice I didn’t write “do you have collateral”.You absolutely must have collateral to be approved for a standard commercial loan.This also includes SBA guaranteed loans.Please believe me when I tell you that the US Small Business Administration is not in the business of guaranteeing “high risk” commercial loans.A commonly used source of collateral for a start up business loan is the equity in your home, or other real estate you may own.Therefore, the start up loan is secured on this real estate.If you fail to repay the loan, your property may be at risk.

Key factor #4:What are you planning to use the money for?

In addition to demonstrating that you have need of a loan (in other words, you do not have other means of obtaining the funds to start a business), you must also indicate to a lender what you will be spending the money on.The lender must approve of how you intend to spend the loan.If you wanted to spend your start up business loan on research and development, the lender must approve.No matter for what or how you intended to spend the loan amount, it must be approved by the lender. This is usually spelled out in your small business plan.

Key Factor #5:What if you decide to repay the loan early?

Did you know that you can be hit with prepayment penalties of as much as 5% for paying off your loan early?This even applies to SBA guaranteed loans.Keep in mind, lenders are in business to make money.They only make money on interest repayments, not the principal loan amount.If you pay your loan off too early, they will lose out on potential profits!

Some Potential Problems…

What is you have poor credit or don’t own a home?Are you still able to secure a start up business loan?The answer is likely no.You can however check out alternative lending sources, such as peer-to-peer lending groups like Prosper or Loanio.

What is the Solution?

The solution is to find a sound alternative to taking out a BIG bank loan in the first place.Consider bootstrapping your new business.As a Start Up Business Consultant, I help budding entrepreneurs find low cost alternatives to loan financing.Clients who have purchased my eBook have found the money they need for small business success.You can find absolutely free sources of business start up funding to make your dream of small business ownership a start up success story — even if you have bad credit or don’t own a home!

2009 Kimberly Kelly – All Rights reserved

This article may only be reprinted in its entirety, including author byline, bio and with all live links in tact.

Author: Kimberly Kelly
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker

The recent credit crunch has caused banks and other traditional lenders to tighten their underwriting standards. Financing for start-up and small businesses has become more difficult to obtain. Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs have to be a little creative in seeking financing. If you are a business seeking financing here are few sources that may aid you in your search.

Angel Investor

Angel investors look to invest in businesses that return a higher profit than a traditional investment. Many angel investors are successful entrepreneurs who want to help other entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. Angel investors look for businesses which can successfully compete in an industry. Angel investors usually come at the stage of a business where some funding has been obtained but the business needs a significant amount more to get to the next level. Financing from an angel investor is usually expensive with costs ranging from 10 to 50 percent of a company’s equity.

SBA

The SBA assists in obtaining a loan by guaranteeing the loan you get from a bank. Many banks have SBA loan centers and the process may even be streamlined where you do not have to wait long for an answer. The SBA is not a direct lender. Banks are willing to fund the business because the SBA backs the loan in case of default. The SBA guarantees up to 85% of a loan, depending on the size, type and maturity of the loan. There are several different types of SBA loan programs available.

Community Express Loans

Community Express is administered through the SBA loan program and is available at various selected lenders. This loan program is for pre-designated geographic areas serving mostly low and moderate income individuals and start-up small businesses. The program also includes technical and management assistance. This assistance is designed to help increase the chances of success for the small business.

Micro Business Loans

This loan program provides small loans to start-up, home-based and micro-businesses. Entrepreneurs with less than perfect credit needing to start or expand a business may benefit from a micro loan program. The loan does not come directly from the SBA. The SBA provides low-cost loans and grants to intermediaries such as community economic development centers which redistribute the funds to qualified small businesses in the form of micro business loans. You can borrow as little as $1,000 up to $35,000 and loans must be repaid within six years.

Patriot Express Business Loan

The SBA has launched a new loan program for military service members, veterans and their spouses called the Patriot Express Loan Initiative. The Patriot Express Loan builds on the more than $1 billion in loans the SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses. The loan can be used to establish or expand a small business and the maximum loan amount is $500,000.

Social Lending

Peer to peer lending is not only for personal loans but can also be used for business loans. This type of lending matches borrowers directly with lenders, circumventing the banks. It is a great alternative to traditional banks’ stringent business loan requirements. With peer to peer lending, a typical loan could be funded by as many as 100 people, thereby increasing the chances your loan will get funded.

Friends and Family

Not surprisingly, more than 50% of all start-up costs for new entrepreneurs come from friends and family. America thrives on entrepreneurship and friends and family are a big source for start-up costs. If your credit is weak you may have little alternative but to seek a loan from a friend or family member. This form of lending has so evolved that there is now a website which will help you facilitate a loan between friends and family. www.virginmoney.com.

More resources can be found at: Business Loan Sources

Author: Lisa Phillips
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

As without water a seed cannot germinate same without money a business cannot start up. Many of us wish for starting a new business. But due to cash crunch, wining the wish becomes impossible to us. In that case one can avail new business loans that will help him to make his wish fruitful.

While applying for a new business loan, borrowers get an option to avail these loans either in secured or in unsecured form. Secured new business loans are available against a security. Due to the presence of security borrowers can acquire higher amount as secured new business loans, and since the security covers the risk of lending money thus there is a possibility of lower interest rate with these loans. Adversely, one can start his business with unsecured business loans and for availing these loans, he needs not pledge any property as security. But in such cases, the rate of interest could be higher. However, the amount of new business loans varies from ₤ 5000 to ₤100000 and the repayment term is usually decided within 3 to 25 years.

Generally, borrowers need to mention the following points while they apply for a new business loan. These points are like

A blueprint of the business that the borrower is going to start.

Borrowers should mention their desired amount

A guess estimate regarding yearly turn over should be mentioned

Borrowers also submit their personal financial statements including tax returns.

With this verification, lenders want to ensure for what sort of business, the borrowers is applying for a new business loan, whether the business will be lasting or not etc. Sometimes, borrowers credit score is also judged by various lenders. But it does not mean that these loans are not bad credit scorers cup of tea, a borrower with poor credit history also can start a new business by taking help of new business loans.

New business loans cover the entire cost that is spent while one starts a new business. It includes proprietors fees, office rent and other expenditure regarding setting up a business, buying machines or other necessary equipments etc.

Finding a new business loan is not at all difficult. These days, an immense network including banks, financial institutions, lending companies are offering various sorts of new business loans that will cope up with individuals needs. Online is also a good resource to find out a suitable new business loan. But to get a good deal, to be more profitable one should look for the best new business loans.

Without money starting a new business is synonymous to starting a car without fueling it. Sometime we dream of starting a new business but fund factor acts as big hurdle in the way of achieving it. In such cases, new business loans can be a perfect solution that can help borrowers to meet their dream.

Author: Michael Brian
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news