When you need a business loan, your options are a wide variety. Banks typically offer very favorable interest rates for small business loans, though you should have a good credit history and collateral. Bank funding times range from one week to two months. Interest rates also vary by lender and the type of loan. You may be eligible for a small business loan with collateral or without collateral, depending on the size of the loan, credit worthiness, and length of time in business.
If you have an established business, your lender may require a detailed business plan. A business plan should clearly outline the company’s products and services, and describe its projected financials. Some lenders have specific requirements regarding the length of time the company has been in business, while others may not. Regardless of the lender you choose, you must be prepared to provide documentation to demonstrate how you plan to use the loan proceeds. A thorough business plan should show that the money will improve your business and your current financial situation.
Small businesses with poor credit can turn to online lenders for loans. While online lenders typically have higher interest rates than banks, they usually have fewer requirements and faster underwriting processes. Some of them may require six months of business or $100,000 in revenue. Others may return a credit decision in as little as one business day. The key difference between banks and online lenders is the terms of the loan. You may not qualify for an SBA loan, but you can always apply for a business loan from a bank or credit union.
Before applying for a business loan, make sure to know what kind of credit you have. An SBA-backed loan requires collateral, and will usually require a personal guarantee. This will put your personal assets and credit score at risk. However, unsecured loans require no collateral and will typically come with less favorable terms. You should also research the lender’s terms and conditions carefully. A business loan can be beneficial for your business if you have a good credit history and a low debt-to-income ratio.
Despite its name, an invoice factoring loan is a form of business funding that allows entrepreneurs to finance the costs of necessary equipment for their businesses. This type of financing is usually more expensive than other forms of funding because lenders need a high percentage of future sales and don’t give business owners control over how they collect payments from their customers. Further, it limits the ability to communicate with clients, as they do not have control over how invoices are collected from their customers.
A term loan, on the other hand, requires repayment over a specified period of time. You can get this type of financing from a traditional bank or from an online lender. Online lenders generally have easier qualification requirements and can provide lower interest rates for new businesses. The loan amount may be up to $500k, with annual percentage rates around nine percent. Interest rates for this type of loan depend on your business’s history, annual revenue, and personal credit.