When looking for a loan for your small business, it is important that you ask the right questions. Asking the right questions help you avoid surprises, plan how to spend your additional working capital, save money and more.
The SBA provides resources to small businesses all over the country. Some of the loan options they offer are the SBA 7(a) loans and SBA Export Loans. We will compare the two options and explain how to apply and utilize both products.
So, you have applied for financing and have received a preapproval or an offer letter but how do you know if that funding option is right for you? Taking out a small business loan is a big decision that should be taken seriously. Today we will go over how to evaluate a loan offer, so you make the best decision for your business.
In the world of small business lending, there is a line between what is a personal expense and what is a business expense. At the same time, many small business owners operate their company as if it is an extension of their personal life. In most cases, a small business really is an extension of the owner. So, can you use a business line of credit for personal use? Can the line of credit be used to pay expenses that are unrelated to the business? No, you cannot. Let’s talk about why.
Personal credit plays a bigger role in obtaining a small business loan than one might think. For most small business loans, the business lender will almost always look at your credit score. Credit scores are an important factor in helping the underwriters determine how trustworthy and financially stable the borrower is. The lender will be more inclined to accept an application and offer good terms to an applicant with good credit. On the other hand, business owners with lower credit scores will likely have a tougher time acquiring more desirable loans. If you have a poor credit score, it would be a good idea to start improving it.
A line of credit can be an invaluable tool for many small business owners throughout the United States; however, not many small businesses may have opened a line of credit. They might have some questions about this type of financing. Is a business line of credit a good choice for my business? What are the requirements for a business line of credit? Let’s get in to it.
Every small business owner feels that their business needs some money to help with a variety of different expenses. Unfortunately, businesses might not always have the capital on-hand to finance these things. Maybe you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, and although you know it takes money to make money, you don’t know how or where to get funds to get your new business off the ground. Whatever your business experience level, it’s important to know what a small business loan is. To decide if it is the right course of financing for your business, we’ll first explore what a small business loan is and how it works.
It’s not an ideal situation. You might be a business owner considering applying for a loan, but you’re not sure if you can even qualify because your credit is, well, not good. Don’t worry. You can still obtain a business loan even if you have bad credit. It likely won’t be as easy or accommodating as it would be with good credit, but it’s possible. So, given that you’re in a somewhat compromised position, it will be important for you to work to strengthen other aspects of your business and become very educated on the business lending process.
There is not necessarily a specific cutoff number that marks whether you can get a small business loan or not. Business lenders do, however, like to see higher credit scores. Each loan application is evaluated on an individual basis. Prospective borrowers are approved or denied based on a variety of factors. If your credentials (including, but not limited to, credit score) meet or exceed the lender’s other standard requirements, then lenders will be inclined to approve you for most small business loans.
How Do I Qualify for a Small Business Loan?