Tag: Traditional

5 Alternative Funding Secrets Traditional Lenders Don’t Want You to Know

Traditional lenders are large banks and small community banks.  They offer term loans based on your personal credit score.  The problem is, if you do not meet their requirements, you can’t get a loan with them.  Many small businesses do not meet the minimum credit score requirements to get terms they can afford, or sometimes any funding at all.  

This is even true of SBA loans. They are typically processed through traditional lenders. If you cannot get one, you need to find SBA loan alternatives. This is where alternative funding options enter the scene. 

Here’s What Traditional Lenders Don’t Want You to Know About Alternative Funding

There are plenty of alternative business financing options available. There are alternative business lenders that offer term loans and lines of credit similar to what traditional banks offer.  However, they determine creditworthiness based factors other than credit score. This can make them a good option for those that do not have good credit. 

Some of them even offer alternative types of financing that many business owners have not heard of.  Due to this, most business owners can find options that will work for them. 

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

1. Alternative Financing Options May Consider More than Just Credit Score

This is the crux of why many businesses do not qualify for financing at traditional banks. The credit score is the main indicator of creditworthiness. However, with alternative funding, often the lenders understand that a bad credit score does not necessarily mean that a borrower is a bad credit risk. They take other factors into consideration. 

Fundbox 

Fundbox  is one such lender. At Fundbox, they consider business merit as opposed to personal credit.  For application purposes, they will do a soft pull on your personal credit. This will not affect your credit score.  When you make your first draw, they will do a one time hard pull that could affect your score, but the minimum is only 550.

2. Many Alternative Lenders for Small business Use Innovative Technology

There is really no reason for a lender to not use the technology available today to help them make better lending decisions. Some lenders believe they could miss out on some good borrowers if they look only at credit scores.  They use technology to help them do better. 

Upstart

Upstart uses a completely innovative platform for loans.  They choose to use a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to gather alternative data for use in making credit decisions.

This may include such things as mobile phone bills, rent, deposits, withdrawals, and even other information less directly tied to finances.  The software they use learns and improves on its own. You can use their online quote tool to play with different amounts and terms to see the various interest rate possibilities.  

3. Some Alternative Funding Options Can Help You Build Business Credit

A separate business credit profile can help you get more business funding, while at the same time protecting your personal credit from your business debt. However, there are not a lot of creditors that will report payments to you business credit profile. That makes it hard to build a score. Some alternative lenders will report, which is a huge bonus. 

Grameen 

Grameen offers microloans to women business owners.  The loan amounts range from $2,000 to $15,000, and they also offer financial training and support.  In addition, they do report payments are reported to Equifax and Experian, meaning these loans help borrowers build their credit.  

4. Alternative Lenders Often Show Preference to Women, Minorities, Veterans, and Others 

If you fall into a specific category as a business owner, you may have some special options available to you. Like Grameen, there are other lenders that focus on helping specific groups. 

Streetshares 

 Streetshares  offers a variety of financing and investment products with fast application processes and funds deposited almost immediately. Lending products never have a prepay penalty, and the credit check is a soft one.  There is never any impact on your credit score for applying.

They lend to various types of businesses and business owners.  Still, their early mission was to help veteran business owners, and they remain true to that mission today.

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

Accion 

Accion is a nonprofit lending network dedicated to helping small businesses.  They offer small business loans, some grant opportunities, and other resources designed to help both startups and established small businesses grow and thrive. 

They lend to small business owners in general, from all backgrounds and most industries. However, they specialize in underserved populations like minorities. 

5. Some Alternative Business Financing Options Offer 0% Interest

This is a secret that almost no one knows.  It is actually possible to get 0% financing on alternative funding and it is not a scam. 

Kiva 

Kiva is an online lender that is a little different. The interest rate is 0%.  That means even though you have to pay it back, it is absolutely free money. They do not check credit at all. Here’s the catch. You have to get at least 5 family members or friends to give to the cause.Furthermore, you have to pitch in a $25 loan to another business on the platform. 

Credit Line Hybrid

This is a form of alternative business financing rather than a specific alternative lender.  The Credit Line Hybrid is a flexible product that can serve your business needs in many ways. First, you can fund your business without putting up collateral.  Then, you only pay back what you use.  

Your personal credit score needs to be at least 680.  In addition, you can’t have any liens, judgments, bankruptcies or late payments. Also, in the past 6 months you should have less than 6 credit inquiries, and you should have less than a 45% balance on all business and personal credit cards.  There are some other requirements as well.

However, If you do not meet all of the requirements you can take on a credit partner that does meet each of these requirements.  Many business owners work with a friend or relative to fund their business.  If a relative or a friend meets all of these requirements, they can partner with you to allow you to tap into their credit to access funding. 

Other Types of Alternative Funding for Small Business

In addition to the Credit Line Hybrid program, here are some other alternative funding options that Credit Suite can help you with. 

Retirement Account Financing

This Credit Suite program offers a unique and powerful way for a new or existing business to leverage assets that are in a 401(k) plan or IRA. 

In as little as 3 weeks you can invest a portion of these funds into your own business. Then, you not only have more control over the performance of your retirement plan assets, but you also have the working capital you need.

It has to be a plan that you are no longer contributing to, and you can no longer work for the employer that it was opened with.  Lastly, it has to have at least a $35,000 balance. 

Business Revenue Lending

If a business has revenue of at least $120,000 per year, it may qualify for this type of funding. Lenders verify revenue using bank statements.  There can be no recent bankruptcies, but the minimum credit score to qualify is 500.  

The business must also be in operation for a year or more, and it must do over 5 small transactions each month to get business revenue financing. 

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

AR Financing

Outstanding account receivables can be a source of funding for your business.You can get as much as 80% of receivables advanced.  Not only that, but you can have the funds in less than 24 hours. You get the rest of the accounts receivable amount once you collect full payment for the invoice. Closing takes 2 weeks or less. 

Receivables should be with the government or another business. 

Merchant Cash Advance

A business that accepts credit card payments and has at least a 500 FICO can get up to $750,000 in a merchant cash advance. There must be $100,000 or more per year in credit card sales, and typical approval equals one month’s credit card financing volume. 

Wait! Don’t Apply With an Alternative Lender Before You Read This

Nothing is perfect. That includes financing alternatives for small businesses. Even top alternative lending companies sometimes get a bad rap because of the prevalence of predatory lenders in the industry. Do your research and make sure you are working with a company that is trustworthy. 

The best way to do this is to work with a business credit expert like the ones at Credit Suite.  This is someone who has a relationship with many reputable lenders and can help not only find the best lender for you, but also the best funding options for your business right now. They specialize in options like the Credit LIne Hybrid, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, accounts receivable Financing and more.

In addition, they can help you analyze your current fundability, and walk you through the process of improving it so that you can qualify for even more funding and better terms in the future.

The post 5 Alternative Funding Secrets Traditional Lenders Don’t Want You to Know appeared first on Credit Suite.

Alternatives to Traditional Start Up Business Loans

Start up business loans are the age-old solution for funding a new business.  Since the beginning of capitalism, entrepreneurs have used a combination of investors and business loans to fund a startup.  But what happens when the traditional routes don’t work?  What happens when you can’t get a start up business loan, for whatever reason? 

What are The Best Alternatives to Standard Start Up Business Loans?

Today, entrepreneurs have more options for start up funding than ever before.  In addition to traditional investors, you have SBA loan programs.  Dig deeper and you’ll find angel investors, crowdfunding, online lenders with alternative eligibility criteria, and hybrid options that most don’t even know about. Let’s dive into what’s out there so you can have a better idea of which options will work best for you. 

Start Up Business Loans: SBA Loans

SBA loans are the most like standard start up business loans. In fact, they are exactly the same, except that they come with a government guarantee.  That means lenders can relax their standards a little when making approvals. 

That’s not to say they are easy to get.  Due to the government guarantee, there is a ton of red tape involved.  However, once you cut through it, it is easier to qualify for SBA loans than regular start up loans.  Here are a couple of SBA loan programs that work well as start up business loans. 

7(a) Loans

This is the Small Business Administration’s most popular program. It offers federally funded term loans that go up to $5 million. The money can fund expansion, purchasing equipment, working capital and even start ups. Lenders partner with the SBA to process these loans and disburse the cash.

The minimum credit score to qualify is 680, and there is also a required down payment of at least 10% for the purchase of a business, commercial real estate, or equipment. You have to be in business for at least 2 years. However, business experience equivalent to two years will meet this requirement if you are a start up.

504 Loans

You can get up to $5 million from the 504 program as well.  You can use the money to buy machinery, facilities, or land. Generally, they are for expansion.  Private sector lenders or nonprofits process and disburse the funds. They work especially well for commercial real estate purchases.

Terms for 504 Loans range from 10 to 20 years, and funding can take from 30 to 90 days. They require a minimum credit score of 680.  The asset that is being financed has to be used as collateral. There is also a down payment requirement of 10%, which can increase to 15% for a new business.

Like 7(a) loans, to qualify you must be in business at least 2 years, or management must have equivalent experience if the business is a startup.

start up business loans Credit Suite

Credit Line Hybrid Financing: Get up to $150,000 in financing so your business can thrive.

Microloans 

The microloan program offers funds up to $50,000. You can use the money to start a business, purchase equipment, buy inventory, or for working capital. Unlike most other SBA loan programs, this financing comes directly through the SBA.

SBA Express Loans 

You can get up to $350,000 through the express loan program.  To qualify, your credit score must be above 680, and you must have a debt to service ratio of 1.1 or higher. If the loan is greater than $25,000, collateral may be necessary depending on the lender.

These loans have a much faster turnaround.  In fact, the SBA takes 36 hours or less to give a decision. Necessary paperwork for application is less also.  Consequently, express loans are a great option for working capital, among other things, if you qualify.

Start Up Business Loans: Private Lenders

What do you do if you do not qualify for an SBA loan?  You can try a private lender.  The lenders operate largely online.  They draw is that they rely on things other than credit score to determine whether a borrower qualifies for a loan.  Most still do a credit check, but they do not require as high of a score as traditional loans and SBA loans. 

Yet, you do have to be careful.  There are a lot of scammers when it comes to online lenders.  Do your research so you know exactly what you are getting into.  Here are a few to get you started. 

BlueVine 

You will find with most any online lender, they often offer options more similar to invoice factoring and lines of credit.  This is because these present fewer risks than straight term loans.  You can find out more in our Bluevine review.

Upstart

Upstart is an online lender that uses a completely innovative platform for loans.  The company itself questions the ability of financial information and FICO on their own to truly determine the risk of lending to a specific borrower.  They choose to use a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to gather alternative data instead.  They then use this data to help them make credit decisions.

This alternative data can include such things as mobile phone bills, rent, deposits, withdrawals, and even other information less directly tied to finances.  The software they use learns and improves on its own. You can use their online quote tool to play with different amounts and terms to see the various interest rate possibilities.  

To be eligible for a loan with Upstart, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • Credit score of 620+
  • No bankruptcies or negative public records
  • No delinquent accounts
  • Meet debt to income standards (they only note they will check this ratio, not what their standards are.)
  • Have fewer than 6 inquiries in the past 6 months on your credit report, not including those related to student loans, vehicle loans, or mortgages

These are the requirements they list on their website.  One independent review said that the requirement for the debt to income ratio is a maximum of 45%. It also says that the minimum annual income has to be at least $12,000.  For more information visit our Upstart review. 

Fora Financial 

Founded in 2008 by college roommates, online lender Fora Financial now funds more than $1.3 million in working capital around the United States. There is no minimum credit score, and there is an early repayment discount if you qualify.

The minimum loan amount is $5,000 and the maximum is $500,000. The business must be at least 6 months in operation and the monthly revenue has to be $12,000 or more. There can be no open bankruptcies.

OnDeck 

Obtaining financing from OnDeck is quick and easy. First, you apply online and receive your decision once application processing is complete. If you receive approval, your loan funds will go directly to your bank account. The minimum loan amount is $5,000 and the maximum is $500,000.

Just like any other online lender, they do have certain requirements to qualify for a loan.  For example, a personal credit score of 600 or more.  Also, you must be in business for at least 3 years. Annual revenue must be at or exceed $100,000. In addition, there can be no bankruptcy on file in the past 2 years and no unresolved liens or judgements.

It’s important to remember that, as with all lenders, the details of interest, minimum and maximums, and eligibility requirements can change without notice. Be sure to check all information with the specific lender for the most current information.

start up business loans Credit Suite

Credit Line Hybrid Financing: Get up to $150,000 in financing so your business can thrive.

Start Up Business Loans: Credit Line Hybrid

This is an option that most entrepreneurs do not know about.  It allows you to fund your business without putting up collateral, and you only pay back what you use.  

To qualify on your own, your personal credit score should be at least 685.  In addition, you can’t have any liens, judgments, bankruptcies or late payments.  Furthermore, in the past 6 months you should have less than 5 credit inquiries, and you should have less than a 45% balance on all business and personal credit cards.  It’s also preferred that you have established business credit as well as personal credit.

However, if you do not meet all of the requirements, you can take on a credit partner that does.  Many business owners work with a friend or relative to fund their business.  If a relative or a friend meets all of these requirements, they can partner with you to allow you to tap into their credit to access funding. 

What are the Benefits of a Credit Line Hybrid? 

There are many benefits to using a credit line hybrid.  First, it is unsecured, meaning you do not have to have any collateral to put up.  Next, the funding is “no-doc.”  This means you do not have to provide any bank statements or financials.  

Even better, typical approval is up to 5x that of the highest credit limit on the personal credit report. Additionally, you can often get interest rates as low as 0% for the first few months.  This will allow you to put that savings back into your business. 

The process is pretty quick, especially with a qualified expert to walk you through it.  Also, with the approval for multiple credit cards, competition is created.  This makes it easier, and likely even if you handle the credit responsibly, that you can get interest rates lowered and limits raised every few months. 

Start Up Business Loans: Debt Free Alternatives

It is rare to run a business completely debt free.  However, you can definitely raise some funds that you do not have to repay.  Any little bit helps.  

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a way to get lots of micro investors at one time.  You advertise your business on a crowdfunding platform, and pretty much anyone who wants can give you money.  Rewards based crowdfunding allows donations as low as $5, and backers receive some non-equity gift for their generosity. 

There is also a such thing as equity crowdfunding which works virtually the same way, but investors actually receive equity in the company for their outlay.  Usually these amounts have to be at least $500. 

Grants

Grants are another debt free option to help supplement start up business loans.  There are not a ton of them out there, and the competition is fierce, but it’s worth the hassle for free money.  If you are a business owner that is a minority, a woman, a veteran, or if you run a business in a low -income area, there are more grant options available. 

Start Building Business Credit

The best time to start building business credit is in the startup phase. It takes time, but with expert help to guide you through the process, it can go much more smoothly.  This will allow you to access funding for your business, as it grows, on the merits of the business itself rather than your own credit.  

Why is the start up phase the best time to begin the business credit building process?  Because the entire process hinges on how your business is set up.  It’s much easier to set it up to build credit for itself in the beginning than to try and back track after the fact. 

start up business loans Credit Suite

Credit Line Hybrid Financing: Get up to $150,000 in financing so your business can thrive.

Start Up Business Loans: What’s Best for Your Business?

Usually, some combination of a number of different funding options is necessary if you do not qualify for traditional start up business loans.  Sometimes, this is necessary even if you do qualify for traditional financing.  The options you choose will depend on what you have available to you.  

If you can get SBA loans, that’s great.  If you want to get short term lower interest rates with no security, a credit line hybrid can be an amazing solution.  Of course, private lenders are there to help you out if you need them, but keep in mind they use higher interest rates to help reduce risk since they do not put as much weight on credit scores. 

In the end, you have to weigh what you are eligible to get against what makes the most business sense.  It helps to have an expert walk you through it.  For more about expert help and alternatives to traditional start up business loans, check out these options.

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