Tag: Qualify

Where to Look for Startup Capital and How to Make Sure You Qualify

There is no startup capital genie that lives in a bottle.  You can’t hope to find the magic lamp, rub it, and make all your entrepreneurial dreams come true.  In contrast, finding startup capital is just the first hurdle in a line of many that you will have to jump over to get your business off the ground. Startup capital can come from a variety of sources.  It takes hard work and some creativity, not to mention determination, to find the best start up capital option for you.  

Startup Capital Doesn’t Come from a Genie in a Bottle

Don’t let that scare you though.  Start up capital loans are highly attainable. However, your chances of success are much, much greater if you know exactly what to do, where to do it, and you have the right tools.  

For example, you can’t build a house while sitting in a library with scissors and tape.  When it comes to starting a business, especially in our current corona economy, you need the right tools. One tool you cannot do without is startup capital. However, you need to know where to look for startup business loans and what you have to do to get them.  At least, that’s where you start.

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit.

Startup Capital: Self-Funding

For most, this seems like the obvious best option.  If you have the means, it can be for sure. No debt is always good.  Still, even if you have the means to fund startup capital yourself, you may not want to tie up all that cash. Alternatively, you may  not want to dip into your retirement or savings, though those are definitely possibilities. Which leads us to the other options.

Startup Capital: Investors

There was a time when investors were simply that, traditional investors.  There are two new players in the field these days however, and they are significantly less formal. 

Angel Investors

start up capital Credit SuiteInvestopedia defines angel investors as those who  “… invest in small startups or entrepreneurs. Often, angel investors are among an entrepreneur’s family and friends. The capital angel investors provide may be a one-time investment to help the business propel or an ongoing injection of money to support and carry the company through its difficult early stages.”

Usually, they do not lend to the same person twice, even if that person pays them as agreed.  That’s because they  like to spread their risk over a lot of people and businesses to make sure they earn a profit.  They are also usually a lot less formal than most types of funding. An angel investor can be anyone.  Seriously, it could be your mom or someone you met through networking.  

The best way to find these kinds of angel investors is to ask people you know. Also, you can try an angel investors website or network. For example, Gust keeps a database of investors, companies, and programs. Startups can search for business plan competitions and other opportunities.

Crowdfunding

This is an increasingly popular option for startup capital.

Basically, Crowdfunding is a type of investment option.  The thing is, you get a lot of smaller investments from a lot of people.  Hence the term, crowdfunding.  This is in contrast to getting the bulk of your small business funding from one or two larger investors. Still, not every campaign is successful.   Trully, few are.

First, you have to figure out which crowdfunding platform is best for your situation . Kickstarter and Indiegogo are two of the most popular. 

Startup Capital: SBA Loans

These are small-business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.  Participating lenders, mostly banks, distribute the funds. They can guarantee up to 85% of loans of $150,000 or less, and loans that are more than $150,000 they will guarantee up to 75%. The maximum loan amount they offer is $5 million. 

Since they have a government guarantee, financial institutions are able to offer these loans at lower interest rates. 

To be eligible for SBA Loans, you must meet certain qualifications. These include:

  • Your business must be for profit.
  • Your business must be inside the US.
  • Business owners must invest equity.
  • You must have exhausted all other financing options.
  • Your business must qualify as a small business.
  • Your business must be in an eligible industry.

Best SBA Loan Programs for Startup Capital

There are a ton of loan programs available through The Small Business Administration.  These are those that are best suited for startup capital.

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit.

7(a) Loans

This is the Small Business Administration’s most popular loan program. For one, it offers federally funded term loans up to $5 million.  Furthermore, the funds can be used for expansion, purchasing equipment, working capital and more. Banks, credit unions, and other specialized institutions, in partnership with the SBA, process these funds. 

504 Loans 

Loans are available up to $5 million.  Funds can buy machinery, facilities, or land. Mostly, they are for expansion. Private sector lenders or nonprofits process and disburse these loans. They especially work well for commercial real estate purchases.

Microloans 

Up to $50,000 is available through the microloan program. This money can be  for starting a business, purchasing equipment, buying inventory, or for working capital. Community based nonprofits handle microloan programs as intermediaries. In contrast, financing comes directly from the Small Business Administration.

Startup Capital: Private Lenders

Generally, private lenders can be a little more relaxed with requirements. Yet, they also tend to have higher interest rates and less favorable terms. 

They usually have options for all types of financings at varying rates.  There are a ton out there, but here are a few to get you started if you need to go this route for small business funding. 

Upstart

Upstart is an online lender using innovative new technology.  They question whether financial information and FICO alone can really determine the risk associated with a specific borrower.  Instead, they are using a combination of machine learning and AI to gather alternative data.  They then use this data to make credit decisions.

This alternative data includes things such as phone bills, rent, deposits, withdrawals, and even other information that is not directly tied to finances.  Software from the company learns and improves based on this data. 

They offer various types of financing products to fit a wide variety of needs. This may include credit card refinancing, student loans, and pretty much anything in-between.   Upstart has something for almost everyone.  

StreetShares 

StreetShares began as a service to veterans.  Now, they offer term loans, lines of credit, and contract financing. In addition, they offer small business loan investment options. The maximum loan amount is $250,000.  Pre-Approval only takes a few minutes. They use a soft pull on your credit so as not to affect your score. 

StreetShares eligibility requirements include being  in business for at least 12 months with annual revenue of $25,000. Exceptions do exist however.  Loans to companies in business for at least 6 months that have higher earnings can be approved  on a case by case basis.

Kabbage 

Kabbage is a well known online lender. They offer a small business line of credit that can help businesses accomplish business goals quickly. The minimum loan amount is $500 and the maximum is $250,000. They require you to be in business for at least one year and have $50,000 or more in annual revenue.  Alternatively, $4,200 or more per month in the previous 3 month period will meet the revenue requirement.. 

Kabbage is great if you need cash quickly. Also, their non-traditional approach puts less weight on your credit score, so they may work better for some borrowers than other lenders.

Fundation 

Fundation provides both term business loans online and lines of credit. It is most known for its working capital funding options. These are funds meant to help cover the day-to-day costs of running a business rather than larger projects. Typically, these funds come in the form of a line-of-credit.

Their minimum loan amount Fundation offers  is $20,000 while the maximum loan amount is $500,000. They require you to be in business for at least 12 months and have annual revenue of at least $100,000. To be eligible, your personal credit score must be no less than 600. Additionally, you must have at least 3 full time employees.  That number can include yourself.  Business owners cannot live or operate their business in North Dakota, South Dakota, or Nevada.

You Cannot Get Startup Capital Without a Business Plan

Not only is a business plan necessary when it comes to getting business loans, but it is necessary to the day to day operations of your business as well.  Virtually all successful entrepreneurs will tell you that a major key to success is to plan to work and work the plan.  

Most traditional lenders are going to need to see a business plan as part of the loan application process.   Truthfully, it’s best to hire a professional business plan writer if possible. They can work with you to get all the necessary information and put it together in the traditional format.  

If you cannot hire a business plan writer however, there are other options. The Small Business Administration offers a template.  Furthermore, your local small business development center may also be able to help.

For a business plan to be taken seriously by a lender, it needs to include the following: 

A Strong Opening 

 An Executive Summary

 This is a complete summary of the business idea.

Description

The description goes into further detail than the summary, describing the business. This is where you work to build excitement about your business.

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit.

Strategies

Layout your plan for getting started. Do you have a marketing plan, area in mind for location, or idea of how many employees you will start with? What is your ramp up plan? 

 Market Analysis

 What need will your business fill, and for who? Are you a child care facility filling a need for affordable child care for working moms? Are you an eatery filling a need for a lunch spot for those working downtown? How will your business fill the need? All of that information goes in this section. 

Competitive Analysis

Is there already a business working to fill this need? Is there room for more? How do you plan to compete with them? 

If you are not a new business, this will be a market analysis that supports your need for funding, or that shows your business is strong and growing.

The Plan 

Plan for Design and Development

How is all of this going to play out, from start to finish. What steps are you going to take? This is more detailed than your strategies section.

Plan for Operation and Management

Who will own or does own the business and who will run or currently runs it from day to day. This could be as simple as stating that you are the sole owner and operator, or as complicated as laying out a complete partnership plan or board or directors’ format. It just depends on how your business works. 

Financials

This section includes current financials, projections, and a budget plan for the loan funds you are applying for.  Lenders need to see that you know how to handle the funds you get, and that you have a plan to pay them back.

Now is the Time to Build Fundability

The real key to getting startup capital and being able to get working capital whenever you need it is fundability.  However, strong fundability doesn’t just happen.  You need to start building it from the very beginning.  If you didn’t do that, you need to start right now. There are a number of factors that play into fundability, and many of them have to do with how your business is even set up.  That affects everything. Business credit is also a huge piece of fundability, but it isn’t everything.  Learn all you can about fundability. Work to make it strong. If you do, you will always have access to the capital you need to start, run, and grow your business.

The post Where to Look for Startup Capital and How to Make Sure You Qualify appeared first on Credit Suite.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What Matters and What Doesn’t

Most agree, when you start wondering how to qualify for a business loan, the waters can become muddied with things that do not really matter.  As a result, it can be hard to distinguish between what really matters, and what doesn’t. In fact, many factors affect whether or not you qualify for a business loan.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What Really Matters?

Truly, there is a lot of conflicting information out there on how to qualify for a business loan.  Is it business credit? Is it personal credit? What else makes a difference? Can you get a loan without business credit?  Do you really need a business plan? What reports are they looking at? Let’s clear some of this up. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

First, you need to know that there are probably a lot of things that make a difference in how to qualify for a business loan that you don’t even realize.  At first glance, a lender is going to consider fundability. Usually, most borrowers think this has only to do with your credit score. However, there are many layers to fundability.  Together, they can all make a difference in whether or not you are approved. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Understanding Fundability

Not surprisingly, one of the main things about fundability that most business owners do not realize is that it actually starts with how your business is set up.  For example, even the address and telephone number you use for your business can affect fundability. 

Set Your Business Up to Be Fundable

 To help, here are some things to consider when setting up your business to appear fundable. 

  • Contact Information

It has to be separate from your personal contact information. 

  • EIN

If you don’t know, this is the equivalent of an SSN for your business. 

  • Incorporate

It’s true, you have to incorporate as either an LLC, and S-corp, or a corporation.  

  • Business Bank Account

A dedicated business bank account is vital to fundability. 

  • Licenses

Make sure you have all the licenses you need to operate your business. 

  • Website

You need a professionally designed website and an email address with the same URL. 

Honestly, this is a super simple summary.  Get more details on how to set up your business to be fundable here.

Other Things that Affect Fundability

In addition to how your business is set up, there are about a million other things that can affect the fundability of your business.  They can all be broken down into the following categories. 

Business Credit Report

This is the credit report, much like your consumer credit report, that details the credit history of your business.  It is a tool to help lenders determine how credit worthy your business is.  

Where do business credit reports come from?  There are a lot of different places. Still, the main ones are Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax, and FICO SBSS.  Consequently, you have no way of knowing which one your lender will choose. As a result, you have to make sure all of these reports are up to date and accurate. 

Other Business Data Agencies 

There are other business data agencies that affect those reports indirectly.  This is in addition to the business credit reporting agencies that directly calculate and issue your credit reports.  Two examples of other agencies include LexisNexus and The Small Business Finance Exchange. They gather data from a variety of sources, including public records.  What does this mean for you? It may surprise you, but they could have access to information relating to automobile accidents and liens, among other things. You cannot access or change the data the agencies have on your business.  However, you can ensure that any new information they receive is positive. Enough positive information can help counteract any negative information from the past. 

Identification Numbers 

In addition to the EIN, there are identifying numbers that go along with your business credit reports.  You need to be aware that these numbers exists. Some of them are simply assigned by the agency. One, however, you have to apply to get.  It is absolutely necessary that you do this. 

Dun & Bradstreet is the largest and most commonly used business credit reporting agency.  Every credit file in their database has a D-U-N-S number. To get a D-U-N-S number, you have to apply for one through the D&B website. 

Business Credit History

Your credit history has everything to do with all things related to your credit score.  Of course, this is a huge factor in the fundability of your business.  

Credit history consists of a number of things including: 

  • How many accounts are reporting payments?
  • How long have you had each account? 
  • What type of accounts are they?
  • How much credit are you using on each account versus how much is available?
  • Are you making your payments on these accounts consistently on-time?

Of course, the more accounts you have reporting on-time payments, the stronger your credit score will be. 

Business Information

On the surface, it seems obvious that all of your business information should be the same across the board everywhere you use it.  However, when you start changing things up like adding a business phone number and address and incorporating, you may find that some things get missed. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

This is a problem.  A lot of loan applications are turned down each year due to fraud concerns simply because things don’t match up.  For example, maybe your business licenses have your personal address but now you have a business address. That needs to be changed.  Maybe some of your credit accounts have a slightly different name or a different phone number listed than what is on your loan application. Do your insurances all have the correct information?  

The key to this piece of the business fundability is to monitor your reports often.   When it comes to business credit reports, you can monitor through the reporting agencies directly, or save money here. 

Financial Statements

First, both your personal and business tax returns need to be in order.  Not only that, but you need to be paying your taxes, but business and personal.  

Business Financials

Typically, it is best to have an accounting professional prepare regular financial statements. Having an accountant’s name on financial statements helps your business look more credible and legitimate. If you cannot afford it monthly or quarterly, then at least have professional statements prepared annually. Then, they will be there whenever you need them. 

Personal Financials

Usually, this is just tax returns for the previous three years.  That is the bare minimum you will need. Other information lenders may ask for include check stubs and bank statements. 

Bureaus

There are other agencies that hold information related to your personal finances that you need to know about.  Everyone knows about FICO. Your personal FICO score needs to be as strong as possible. It really can affect business fundability and almost all traditional lenders will look at personal credit in addition to business credit. 

Other than that, there is also ChexSystems.  They monitor bad check activity, and that can affect your bank score.  If you have too many bad checks, you will not be able to open a bank account.  That will cause serious fundability issues. 

For this point, everything comes into play.  Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Do you have a bankruptcy or short sell on your record?  How about liens or UCC filings? This all affects fundability. 

Personal Credit Historyhow to qualify for a business loan Credit Suite

Your personal credit score from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion affects fundability as well.  If it isn’t great right now, get to work on it. The number one way to get a strong personal credit score or improve a weak one is to make payments consistently on time. 

Also, make sure you monitor your personal credit regularly to make sure mistakes get corrected and that there are no fraudulent accounts reporting. 

Application Process

So much plays into this that you may not even think about. First, consider the timing of the application.  Is your business currently fundable? If not, do some work first to increase fundability. Next, ensure that your business name, business address, and ownership status are all verifiable.  Lenders will check that. Lastly, make sure you choose the right lending product for your business and your needs. Do you need a traditional loan or a line of credit? Would a working capital loan or expansion loan work best for your needs?   

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Product and the Right Lender

This  falls into that application process section of fundability.  You have to know what you need, what you are eligible for, and what type of lender will work best for your needs.  This will help you know where to apply and what to apply for, so that you can have the best possible chance of qualifying. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Type Business Loan

When it comes to business loans, these are the general types of products available. 

Traditional Loans

These are the standard loans that disperse as a set amount of funds, with the borrower repaying with equal payments over a certain period of time.  These can be secured or unsecured.

Line of Credit 

This is revolving debt similar to credit cards.  Borrowers are given a maximum limit of the amount of funds they can use, but only pay back the amount that they actually use.  

Invoice Factoring

Factoring invoices is an option if you have receivables.   The lender basically buys unpaid invoices from you at a premium, meaning you do not get full value.  However, you do get fast cash.

Merchant Cash Advance

If you accept credit card payments, a merchant cash advance can help you out in a cash pinch.  It is basically just what is says. It’s a cash advance on predicted credit card sales. They base the amount of the loan on average daily credit card sales, and then take payment from future credit card sales. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Type of Lender

 A lot of business owners think that a bank is their only option.  There are a few different types of lenders to consider however. 

  • Large Commercial Banks

  • Community Banks

  • Credit Unions

  • Private Lenders

Of course, which one of these you use will depend on your specific needs and qualifications.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: You Need an Awesome Business Plan

While there are forms available from most lenders for you to simply write in information related to your business plan, that’s not the best way to do it.  A professionally written, complete business plan makes a far better impression on a lender. This is true even if you are an established business applying for a loan.  The only difference is, you will write a plan for how you will use the funds in relation to your current business rather than a business you intend to start. In general, a complete and professional business plan contains the following. 

Opening 

First comes the opening. It includes an executive summary, a more detailed description of the business, and your strategy for getting started.  

Market Research 

Next, there is a section for market research.  As you might guess, this section consists of market analyses including an analysis of your audience and an analysis of any existing competition. It will tell what need exists, how you will fill it, and how you will fill it better than the competition.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: The Plan 

This can also be broken down into two parts. 

Plan for Design and Development

This is your plan from start to finish.  It discusses what steps are you going to take. In comparison, this is more detailed than your strategies section.

Plan for Operation and Management

This is where a number of questions are answered in relation to the management of the business.  For example, who will own or does own the business? Furthermore, who will run or currently runs it from day to day? It could be as easy as stating that you are the sole owner and operator.  In contrast, it could be as complicated as laying out a complete partnership plan or board or directors’ format. Truthfully, it just depends on your specific business. 

Financials

Lastly, this section includes current financials, projections, and a budget plan for the loan funds you are applying for.  As you can imagine, lenders want to see that you know how to handle and funds you get. Furthermore, they want to know that you have a plan for paying them back.

Take note, if you are not a great writer, you may need to hire a writer to help you with this.  If you have no clue how to do market research, you may need to outsource that piece as well. Thankfully, most small business development centers offer help with business plans also.  Go here to find an SBDC near you. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Wrap Up

Hands down, the absolute first step in the process has to be to do an analysis of fundability. Then, you will know where you stand. As a result, you will have a better idea of what you may need to do to increase fundability.  Also, you will have a better understanding of what type of lender you need to go with and which type of product will best fit your needs.  Then, you can get to work on your business plan. Remember, while nothing is guaranteed, following these steps can help increase your chances of loan approval immensely. 

The post How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What Matters and What Doesn’t appeared first on Credit Suite.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What Matters and What Doesn’t

Most agree, when you start wondering how to qualify for a business loan, the waters can become muddied with things that do not really matter.  As a result, it can be hard to distinguish between what really matters, and what doesn’t. In fact, many factors affect whether or not you qualify for a business loan.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What Really Matters?

Truly, there is a lot of conflicting information out there on how to qualify for a business loan.  Is it business credit? Is it personal credit? What else makes a difference? Can you get a loan without business credit?  Do you really need a business plan? What reports are they looking at? Let’s clear some of this up. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

First, you need to know that there are probably a lot of things that make a difference in how to qualify for a business loan that you don’t even realize.  At first glance, a lender is going to consider fundability. Usually, most borrowers think this has only to do with your credit score. However, there are many layers to fundability.  Together, they can all make a difference in whether or not you are approved. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Understanding Fundability

Not surprisingly, one of the main things about fundability that most business owners do not realize is that it actually starts with how your business is set up.  For example, even the address and telephone number you use for your business can affect fundability. 

Set Your Business Up to Be Fundable

 To help, here are some things to consider when setting up your business to appear fundable. 

  • Contact Information

It has to be separate from your personal contact information. 

  • EIN

If you don’t know, this is the equivalent of an SSN for your business. 

  • Incorporate

It’s true, you have to incorporate as either an LLC, and S-corp, or a corporation.  

  • Business Bank Account

A dedicated business bank account is vital to fundability. 

  • Licenses

Make sure you have all the licenses you need to operate your business. 

  • Website

You need a professionally designed website and an email address with the same URL. 

Honestly, this is a super simple summary.  Get more details on how to set up your business to be fundable here.

Other Things that Affect Fundability

In addition to how your business is set up, there are about a million other things that can affect the fundability of your business.  They can all be broken down into the following categories. 

Business Credit Report

This is the credit report, much like your consumer credit report, that details the credit history of your business.  It is a tool to help lenders determine how credit worthy your business is.  

Where do business credit reports come from?  There are a lot of different places. Still, the main ones are Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax, and FICO SBSS.  Consequently, you have no way of knowing which one your lender will choose. As a result, you have to make sure all of these reports are up to date and accurate. 

Other Business Data Agencies 

There are other business data agencies that affect those reports indirectly.  This is in addition to the business credit reporting agencies that directly calculate and issue your credit reports.  Two examples of other agencies include LexisNexus and The Small Business Finance Exchange. They gather data from a variety of sources, including public records.  What does this mean for you? It may surprise you, but they could have access to information relating to automobile accidents and liens, among other things. You cannot access or change the data the agencies have on your business.  However, you can ensure that any new information they receive is positive. Enough positive information can help counteract any negative information from the past. 

Identification Numbers 

In addition to the EIN, there are identifying numbers that go along with your business credit reports.  You need to be aware that these numbers exists. Some of them are simply assigned by the agency. One, however, you have to apply to get.  It is absolutely necessary that you do this. 

Dun & Bradstreet is the largest and most commonly used business credit reporting agency.  Every credit file in their database has a D-U-N-S number. To get a D-U-N-S number, you have to apply for one through the D&B website. 

Business Credit History

Your credit history has everything to do with all things related to your credit score.  Of course, this is a huge factor in the fundability of your business.  

Credit history consists of a number of things including: 

  • How many accounts are reporting payments?
  • How long have you had each account? 
  • What type of accounts are they?
  • How much credit are you using on each account versus how much is available?
  • Are you making your payments on these accounts consistently on-time?

Of course, the more accounts you have reporting on-time payments, the stronger your credit score will be. 

Business Information

On the surface, it seems obvious that all of your business information should be the same across the board everywhere you use it.  However, when you start changing things up like adding a business phone number and address and incorporating, you may find that some things get missed. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

This is a problem.  A lot of loan applications are turned down each year due to fraud concerns simply because things don’t match up.  For example, maybe your business licenses have your personal address but now you have a business address. That needs to be changed.  Maybe some of your credit accounts have a slightly different name or a different phone number listed than what is on your loan application. Do your insurances all have the correct information?  

The key to this piece of the business fundability is to monitor your reports often.   When it comes to business credit reports, you can monitor through the reporting agencies directly, or save money here. 

Financial Statements

First, both your personal and business tax returns need to be in order.  Not only that, but you need to be paying your taxes, but business and personal.  

Business Financials

Typically, it is best to have an accounting professional prepare regular financial statements. Having an accountant’s name on financial statements helps your business look more credible and legitimate. If you cannot afford it monthly or quarterly, then at least have professional statements prepared annually. Then, they will be there whenever you need them. 

Personal Financials

Usually, this is just tax returns for the previous three years.  That is the bare minimum you will need. Other information lenders may ask for include check stubs and bank statements. 

Bureaus

There are other agencies that hold information related to your personal finances that you need to know about.  Everyone knows about FICO. Your personal FICO score needs to be as strong as possible. It really can affect business fundability and almost all traditional lenders will look at personal credit in addition to business credit. 

Other than that, there is also ChexSystems.  They monitor bad check activity, and that can affect your bank score.  If you have too many bad checks, you will not be able to open a bank account.  That will cause serious fundability issues. 

For this point, everything comes into play.  Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Do you have a bankruptcy or short sell on your record?  How about liens or UCC filings? This all affects fundability. 

Personal Credit History

Your personal credit score from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion affects fundability as well.  If it isn’t great right now, get to work on it. The number one way to get a strong personal credit score or improve a weak one is to make payments consistently on time. 

Also, make sure you monitor your personal credit regularly to make sure mistakes get corrected and that there are no fraudulent accounts reporting. 

Application Process

So much plays into this that you may not even think about. First, consider the timing of the application.  Is your business currently fundable? If not, do some work first to increase fundability. Next, ensure that your business name, business address, and ownership status are all verifiable.  Lenders will check that. Lastly, make sure you choose the right lending product for your business and your needs. Do you need a traditional loan or a line of credit? Would a working capital loan or expansion loan work best for your needs?   

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Product and the Right Lender

This  falls into that application process section of fundability.  You have to know what you need, what you are eligible for, and what type of lender will work best for your needs.  This will help you know where to apply and what to apply for, so that you can have the best possible chance of qualifying. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Type Business Loan

When it comes to business loans, these are the general types of products available. 

Traditional Loans

These are the standard loans that disperse as a set amount of funds, with the borrower repaying with equal payments over a certain period of time.  These can be secured or unsecured.

Line of Credit 

This is revolving debt similar to credit cards.  Borrowers are given a maximum limit of the amount of funds they can use, but only pay back the amount that they actually use.  

Invoice Factoring

Factoring invoices is an option if you have receivables.   The lender basically buys unpaid invoices from you at a premium, meaning you do not get full value.  However, you do get fast cash.

Merchant Cash Advance

If you accept credit card payments, a merchant cash advance can help you out in a cash pinch.  It is basically just what is says. It’s a cash advance on predicted credit card sales. They base the amount of the loan on average daily credit card sales, and then take payment from future credit card sales. 

 Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Choose the Right Type of Lender

 A lot of business owners think that a bank is their only option.  There are a few different types of lenders to consider however. 

  • Large Commercial Banks

  • Community Banks

  • Credit Unions

  • Private Lenders

Of course, which one of these you use will depend on your specific needs and qualifications.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: You Need an Awesome Business Plan

While there are forms available from most lenders for you to simply write in information related to your business plan, that’s not the best way to do it.  A professionally written, complete business plan makes a far better impression on a lender. This is true even if you are an established business applying for a loan.  The only difference is, you will write a plan for how you will use the funds in relation to your current business rather than a business you intend to start. In general, a complete and professional business plan contains the following. 

Opening 

First comes the opening. It includes an executive summary, a more detailed description of the business, and your strategy for getting started.  

Market Research 

Next, there is a section for market research.  As you might guess, this section consists of market analyses including an analysis of your audience and an analysis of any existing competition. It will tell what need exists, how you will fill it, and how you will fill it better than the competition.

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: The Plan 

This can also be broken down into two parts. 

Plan for Design and Development

This is your plan from start to finish.  It discusses what steps are you going to take. In comparison, this is more detailed than your strategies section.

Plan for Operation and Management

This is where a number of questions are answered in relation to the management of the business.  For example, who will own or does own the business? Furthermore, who will run or currently runs it from day to day? It could be as easy as stating that you are the sole owner and operator.  In contrast, it could be as complicated as laying out a complete partnership plan or board or directors’ format. Truthfully, it just depends on your specific business. 

Financials

Lastly, this section includes current financials, projections, and a budget plan for the loan funds you are applying for.  As you can imagine, lenders want to see that you know how to handle and funds you get. Furthermore, they want to know that you have a plan for paying them back.

Take note, if you are not a great writer, you may need to hire a writer to help you with this.  If you have no clue how to do market research, you may need to outsource that piece as well. Thankfully, most small business development centers offer help with business plans also.  Go here to find an SBDC near you. 

How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Wrap Up

Hands down, the absolute first step in the process has to be to do an analysis of fundability. Then, you will know where you stand. As a result, you will have a better idea of what you may need to do to increase fundability.  Also, you will have a better understanding of what type of lender you need to go with and which type of product will best fit your needs.  Then, you can get to work on your business plan. Remember, while nothing is guaranteed, following these steps can help increase your chances of loan approval immensely. 

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