Whether we are talking about a start-up or an established business, every company requires funds to survive, grow and outrun the competition. The recurring needs of hiring manpower, regular equipment upgrades, or general working capital often require an excess of funds that many businesses simply do not have. A great way for a business to access these necessary funds is through a business loan.
Loans are a great helping hand for business owners but the process can sometimes be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Often the loan process can be complex, time-consuming, and require a lot of effort on the part of the business owner. However, being properly prepared before applying for business financing will help you streamline the process.
Here are some smart financial tips on business financing that you should keep in mind before applying for a business loan:
- Assessing your business need
There are many types of business loans to choose from! Before you apply for a loan, it is important to understand your business needs and have a plan. Your assessment should include things like the amount of capital required to meet your objective, the type of loan you desire, the timeline of the loan, what you’re planning to use the money for, and how you’re planning to pay it back. There are other key factors a business owner needs to consider as well, like monthly revenue of the business, operational cost, recurring business expenses, existing liabilities, etc. All of these factors will help determine what size of loan and payment amount a business can afford. Your loan amount should not go beyond your business revenues.
- Maintaining a healthy credit score:
Another key financial tip is to maintain a healthy personal and business credit score. But before we discuss how to maintain a healthy credit score, let’s first review what a credit score is. A credit score is a measure of an individual’s or business’s likeliness to pay back a borrowed amount of money. The score represents numerically a person’s or business’s creditworthiness. Having a healthy credit score indicates that you are financially sound and not likely to default on repayment. Credit score is the first thing that a lender looks into. A strong credit score can help you enjoy benefits such as a lower rate of interest on your loans and even credit cards.
Before advancing business loans, lenders will not only look into the business’s credit score but also the personal credit scores of the business owners to determine the business’s eligibility for the loan. Although there are business financing options that will work for owners that have poor credit, having a healthy credit score allows for more favorable loan options like lower interest rates and longer terms. Thus, maintaining a healthy credit score is essential for acquiring business capital.
- Comparing all the lending options
Before deciding on your bank or lender, it is wise to research all the viable options available in the market. Often there is a misconception that you can only get a loan through a bank, which is not true! In the commercial lending industry, non-bank and private financial institutions can also help you with the business financing you need. It is greatly advised that you compare all your borrowing options to get the maximum benefits of a business loan.
- Checking for eligibility
Checking your eligibility is an integral step business owners should follow before applying for a business loan. You need to fulfill the eligibility criteria required by the financial institution from which you are planning to get business financing. Therefore, before submitting your loan application, it is best to check directly with the lender to understand what the qualification requirements are and if you met them. Each lender has different criteria so it is important to know exactly what the lender you are applying with is looking for. This smart financial tip can help you save time and frustration by ensuring you do not apply for a business loan that you do not qualify for.
- Managing your bank statements
Next to your credit scores, your business bank statements are the most important factor to be considered for applying for a business loan. Your bank statements offer insight into how you manage your business and help in determining whether or not you’ll be able to repay your loan. If your business has a shortage of funds, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to secure a loan. Lenders typically assess your most recent bank statements (the last 2 – 3 months), so as you are planning to apply for a business loan, work to ensure your recent bank statements are strong. This means showing regular deposits, cash flow (money coming in is greater than money going out), and some savings/reserves. You want to avoid things like insufficient funds, overdrafts, and unusual activity like large deposits without a clearly documented source.
- Gathering all required loan documents
The most important step in the process of submitting your loan application is being ready with all the required documents. To streamline the process of the loan application and make things easier for all parties involved, it is advised that you have gathered all the relevant documents prior to submitting your application. These documents may vary depending upon the lender you choose but here are some standard document requests:
– Identification – driver’s license/passport
– Business registration/articles, EIN number, and operating agreement
– Business and personal bank statements
– Business and personal tax return records
– Business financial statements
Conclusion:
In addition to all these financial tips, it is very important to read all the loan documents prior to signing them to make sure you fully understand the details of the loan. . You should apply for a loan after weighing all requisite pros and cons, making your business credit-worthy and attractive to lenders, and assessing all the viable lending options to find the offers which are the best for you and your business. Try to communicate openly and honestly with your loan provider and make sure you don’t overcommit.
Financing for Your Business’s Needs
One aspect that many business owners fail to realize is that every loan is different. This is actually a good thing because that means you can take advantage of financing that is customized to your unique situation. At Common Sense Capital Solutions, we have a team of dedicated financial experts to determine what the best kind of loan would be for you specifically.