Published on: 21 June 2018
Last Updated on: 15 October 2020
What is paper gold? When investors talk about paper gold, they’re not referring to a gold leaf, which is real gold hammered into a thin, paper-like sheet that’s used in gilding, stretching gold out for decoration in jewelry, architecture, book-making, and mosaics. They’re talking about gold contracts and derivatives that have been created to make gold trading more mainstream, faster, and profitable for traders who want to go short instead of long.
Paper Gold vs. Gold Bullion :
What’s the difference between paper gold and real gold bullion? Paper gold is a contract for the future delivery of gold. However, most people who trade in paper gold don’t ever actually want to receive gold bullion. Not only are the contracts rarely ever delivered upon, but there’s also a lot of speculation that they never could be delivered on. That’s because there’s more paper gold out there than real gold bullion. The situation is even more pronounced with silver.
Paper gold exists so that gold traders can profit from gold prices going down. When they “go short” on gold, they essentially rent a gold stock from someone who already owns it, sells it at the price of gold today, then buy another gold stock and return it. If the price of gold has gone down, they’ve made a tidy profit. Many believe that the paper gold market is artificially keeping gold prices down, both by inflating the real quantity of gold that can be traded and allowing this type of short-selling.
Is Gold Bullion Better?
It depends on what kind of investor you are, but if you’re looking into gold because you are risk-averse and you need a conservative asset, yes, gold is better. While many criticize the expense of keeping gold, saying insurance and storage are expensive. But there are also management fees involved in a gold ETF. Plus, you face the counter-party risk of trusting your investment with a fund. When you buy gold bullion from a dealer like Silver Gold Bull, you’re putting your trust in the value of gold. When you buy into a gold ETF, you’re putting your trust in the fund’s management as much as anything.
As any investor knows, there’s never such thing as a guaranteed gain. But real gold bullion is about as close to it as you can get. Since modern gold trading began, it’s kept up with inflation in the long term (and done much better than either currency or equities over certain periods). For centuries before then, gold was the preferred way to store wealth. Physical gold bullion is one of the most durable materials on the planet. Thanks to safe and insured online gold buying from online gold companies like Silver Gold Bull, it’s never been safer to save on gold by going online. The risks of holding gold bullion are far lower than paper gold or gold mining stocks in the end. Trust your money in real gold bullion, not paper gold.
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Planning to investigate some small business loans? What are the best options out there?
Most importantly, how can these loan options help you?
Contrary to popular belief, it is more complex than filling out a form and getting your loan approved. That too from the very first source!
There is eligibility, which you must fulfill from your end, and criteria that the small business loan providers must ensure.
These are subjective to individuals and the business they are trying to build.
For example, which provider should you go for when you need a quick loan of a larger or smaller amount?
So, without any further ado, let’s get into the blog post
What Are Small Business Loans?
What are exactly small business loans? The criteria? Is it different than other forms of business loans?
Small business loans are classified under money lending for commercial purposes Like any other business loan.
There are several reasons why you would consider lending. Do not worry if it is for operational expenses and you fall short!
Not everyone accesses such loans just for their initial business investment or to extend their business to new grounds. In fact, it is common for people to underestimate their expenditure margin when they are starting their business.
In fact, in 2020, 56% of all small business loans were to manage operational costs. While only 31% of loans were for expansion opportunities.1
The Best Small Business Loans
Here are the best small business loans to investigate:
1. SBA 7(a) Loan
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of Acceptance SBA 7(a) Loan680+Two years$100,000+$5 million5-10 business days
This government-backed loan program offers competitive rates and long terms for various needs.
Pros:
Low interest rates
Long repayment terms
Cons:
Lengthy application process
Strict qualification criteria
2. Kabbage Business Line Of Credit
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceKabbage Business Line of Credit640+1 year$50,000+$250,000 Same day
This is a revolving line of credit with a quick application process for managing cash flow.
Pros:
Fast funding
Flexible access to funds
Cons:
High APR
Limited revolving credit line (although that is how they advertise).
3. OnDeck Term Loan
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceOnDeck Term Loan600+1 year$100,000+$250,000 24 hours
This loan offers short-term loans with quick approval, which is ideal for fast access to capital.
Pros
Fast Funding
Discounts for repeat customers
Cons
High interest rates
Frequent repayments
4. BlueVine Business Line Of Credit
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceBlueVine Business Line of Credit600+Six months$100,000+$250,000 24-72 hours
Flexible line of credit with fast approval, useful for managing cash flow.
Pros
Quick funding
No early repayment fees.
Cons
Higher rates for lower credit scores.
Limited to revolving credit.
5. Fundbox Line Of Credit
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceFundbox Line of Credit600+Six months$50,000+$150,000 As fast as the next business day
It provides a simple, quick line of credit ideal for immediate cash flow needs.
Pros
Easy qualification
Quick access to funds
Cons
Lower Loan Amounts
Shorter Repayment terms
6. Lendio Loan Marketplace
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceLendio Loan Marketplace550+Six months$50,000+$5 million On the loan amount
This type of loan is a great help to small business owners. Rather than just one loan, this is a marketplace that connects businesses with multiple lenders for various loan types.
Pros
Wide range of loan options.
Easy comparison of the offer.
Cons
Can receive multiple calls from lenders, which can be irritating.
Not all lenders have favorable terms.
7. American Express Business Loan
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceAmerican Express Business Loan660+1 yearNot specified$50,000 3-5 days
This fixed-rate loan is available only to pre-approved American Express Business Card members.
Pros
Fixed rates
No origination fee
Cons
Only available to pre-approved members.
Relatively small maximum loan amount.
Therefore, if you plan to get a small business loan in the foreseeable future, getting an American Express Business Card is better.
8. Accion Opportunity Fund
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceAccion Opportunity Fund550+1 yearNot specified$250,000 1-3 weeks
Offers loans to underserved small business owners, including minorities and women.
Pros
Focus on underserved businesses.
Personalized support
Cons
Longer approval process.
It may have a higher interest rate.
9. Credibly Small Business Loan
LoanCredit ScoreMinimum YearsMinimum Revenue (Yearly)Maximum Loan AmountTime of AcceptanceCredibly Small Business Loan500+Six months$15,000/month$400,000 24-48 hours (about two days)
Provides working capital loans and merchant cash advances with flexible terms.
Pros
Fast funding
Flexible repayment options
Cons
Higher cost of financing.
Frequent repayments
Small Business Loans With Separate Criterions
Now, we will be delving into the different criteria and which small business loan provider would be best!
1. Startup Needing Initial Capital
"I just started my business and need funds to get it. What are my options?"
Best Loan: Fundera by NerdWallet
Offers access to multiple loan options, including startup loans, even with lower credit scores and minimal business history.
2. Expanding An Established Business
"I’ve been in business for two years and want to expand. What loan should I consider?"
Best Loan: SBA 7(a) Loan
Ideal for established businesses needing significant funding for expansion, with favorable terms and interest rates.
3. Need For Quick Cash Flow Solutions
"I need quick access to cash to manage cash flow. What’s the fastest option?"
Best Loan: Kabbage Business Line of Credit
Offers quick application and approval processes, with funds available on the same day for urgent cash flow needs.
4. Managing Seasonal Inventory And Expenses
"My business is seasonal, and I need funds to purchase inventory before the busy season. What loan fits this need?"
Best Loan: OnDeck Term Loan
It provides short-term loans with quick funding, ideal for managing seasonal inventory purchases and expenses.
5. New Business Owner With Limited Credit
"I have a low credit score and a new business. Are there any loan options available for me?"
Best Loan: Credibly Small Business Loan
Accepts lower credit scores and offers working capital loans, making it accessible to newer businesses with limited credit.
6. Needing A Flexible Line Of Credit
"I want a flexible financing option. This is to cover unexpected expenses as they arise. What should I look for?"
Best Loan: BlueVine Business Line of Credit
It offers a flexible line of credit with fast approval. Plus, it is suitable for covering unexpected expenses.
7. Seeking Low Interest Rates And Long Terms
"I’m looking for a loan with low interest rates and long repayment terms. What’s the best choice?"
Best Loan: SBA 7(a) Loan
It is known for its low interest rates and long repayment terms. Therefore, it is ideal for businesses seeking cost-effective funding.
8. Socially Responsible Business Owner
"I want to support a loan provider that helps underserved communities. What are my options?"
Best Loan: Accion Opportunity Fund
Focuses on providing loans to underserved small business owners. In fact, it also includes minorities and women, with personalized support.
9. Looking For A Fast And Easy Application Process
"I need a loan. However, I don't want to go through a long application process. Which loan is easy to apply for?"
Best Loan: Fundbox Line of Credit
Offers a simple, quick application process with funds available before the next business day.
10. Needing A Small, Short-Term Loan
"I need a small amount of money quickly for a short-term need. What’s the best option?"
Best Loan: American Express Business Loan
It provides small, fixed-rate loans with a quick approval process, which is ideal for short-term financial needs.
Related: How To Use An SBA Loan For Business Purchase
Eligibility For Small Business Loans
You might find the best loan provider. However, when it comes to eligibility, rejection can be common.
Regarding personal loans, good mortgage lending (a property that you place as collateral when taking the loan) makes loan acceptance easier.
However, when it comes to business loans, the rules are a little different. The loan lender (bank or private) must closely investigate your business expenditure, cash flow, and profit margin.
If you do not have a steady personal and business credit score (unless you are building your business from scratch, in which case the rules will be different), getting your small business loan approved can be challenging.
Do not worry; this is not to scare you. However, ensure you take the time to investigate your and improve financial health.
Here are some of the absolute eligibilities when it comes to small business loans.
1. Your Business Needs To Be Nonprofit
Unfortunately, you cannot have a nonprofit organization and demand a small business loan. Your business must be making some profit through a steady income.
2. A Lucrative Business Idea, Aka The Cash-Flow
Since business loans do not depend on collateral submission, lenders are mostly concerned about the business idea.
Most importantly, is there a demand for such business in the market?
Will there be enough opportunities to build a steady cash flow?
Is there any stock market share for businesses with the same ideation?
The loan they offer you will depend on the potential profit you can make from that base. Plus, it must be backed by solid data.
3. Your Credit Score
Although we have already mentioned the credit score for each loan provider, you need to be serious about your creditworthiness.
Any loan provider will scrutinize your personal and business credit score. Any suspicious activity (including something as simple as an unpaid credit card bill) can put you under the radar. Eventually, it does not make you a good candidate for a loan.
In other cases, your business credit score also plays a crucial role.
What is your total business income?
Is it holistic with your business expenditure?
What is your business credit card transaction history? Are you able to balance your bills alongside your monthly operational costs?
...and many more.
You must submit all your financial documents, especially if you are planning to expand through different business locations and real estate. How your business funds are handled becomes crucial in such a case.
Secured & Unsecured Loan
Starting a business? Want a small business loan? Then, you should understand the importance of collateral in such a business.
Most importantly, do you even need to submit collateral to get your loan sanctioned?
Secure business loans will charge you some collateral (cash money, real estate property, gold bonds, etc.).
Meanwhile, unsecured loans do not charge any collateral.
Which is better as Small Business Loans
As someone just starting a business, I know the advantages/disadvantages of both kinds of loans will depend on your criteria and loan amount.
So, let’s discuss the overall pros and cons of both!
Secured Loans
Let’s begin with the kind of loans that require collateral.
Pros ConsLower Interest RatesLonger Approval RatesHigher Loan Amounts (because of the collateral)Risk of Losing AssetLonger Repayment Period (you can elongate your loan repayment term for two decades)Not everything can be collateral. It, after, depends on the bank.
Unsecured Loans
Now, let’s talk about loans without collateral.
ProsConsYou Need No CollateralAutomatically, the maximum loan amount is less.Quick Loan ApprovalHigher Interest RatesFlexible for all types of loansThe repayment period is a short
When Should You Get What?
For the ease of your own understanding, here is when you should get what!
Secured Loans Might Be Better If
You need a larger loan amount.
Can provide valuable collateral.
You want lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.
If your business has significant assets that can be used as collateral.
Unsecured Loans Might Be Better If
You do not have assets to offer as collateral.
Need funds quickly.
You prefer not to risk losing business or personal assets.
The business needs a smaller loan amount.
You can check the listicle above for a good idea of which secure/unsecured small business loans would be better for you.
Types Of Small Business Loans
These are the types of small business loans which you should investigate:
Term Loans: You borrow a set amount and pay it back over time with fixed payments.
SBA Loans: The government backs these loans, giving you good terms for your business.
Business Lines of Credit: You get access to a credit line like a credit card.
Invoice Financing: You can get cash based on your unpaid invoices.
Equipment Loans: This loan helps you buy business equipment.
Merchant Cash Advances: You get an advance on your future credit card sales.
Microloans: These small loans are often given by nonprofits to help you start.
Commercial Real Estate Loans: Use these loans to buy or fix up your business property.
Personal Loans for Business: You can use your personal credit for business needs.
Franchise Loans: These loans help you start or grow a franchise business.
The Final Note!
The choice between a secured and an unsecured small business loan ultimately depends on your specific needs and circumstances.
a secured loan might be more suitable If you have valuable assets and prefer lower interest rates.
On the other hand, if you need quick access to funds and prefer not to put up collateral, an unsecured loan could be the better option.
Always consider the terms and conditions carefully and consult a financial advisor to make the best decision for your business.
Things to remember before you get a small business loan:
Have a solid, chalked-out plan for how you will repay it. You wouldn’t want to lose your collateral.
Do not take hasty loans because you have fulfilled a business milestone. Remember, a loan is not a temporary fix; it is a debt for years to come. Therefore, be careful before sanctioning a loan.
Finally, be candid about your financial decision. Keeping it discreet to get a quicker loan approval will only cause you trouble later.
What do you think? Should getting a small business loan come after so many considerations, or should it be a little easier?
Do let us know in the comment section below!
Read Also:
Core Banking Solutions: A Game Changer?
Alternative Business Financing – What Is It And How Do You Do It?
Ways To Apply For A Personal Loan & The Reasons To Opt For This Loan.
We all are quite aware of the phrase, “Never put all your eggs in a single basket.” They say it because in case anything happens with the basket, all your eggs will be wasted. So, instead of putting all your eggs in a single basket, divide them and put them in different baskets.
In case you drop one basket, you will lose a few of the eggs. Still, you will have the others that you have kept in other baskets. This is one of the major and intelligent strategies when it comes to Crypto investments.
As per the experienced Crypto investors, you should diversify your investment amount in different Cryptos in order to get a better return. The reason might be understandable to some of you.
On the other hand, you might think that when Bitcoin is performing really well, it will be an intelligent choice to invest as much as you can particularly in Bitcoin. But experts never recommend that. Here we will discuss “why?”
Why Do Crypto Investors Need To Diversify
The main benefit of diversifying your Crypto investment is protecting them from risk. Yes, it is true that eliminating the risk of Crypto is nearly impossible. But when you diversify your Crypto assets, you are getting benefited from the passive income of stable coins.
This means that you need to be smart about investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies. Buy Dogecoin in Canada as this is going to be the hottest new thing after Bitcoin and Ethereum in this industry. You are sure to generate a high return on your investment in the near future.
Plus you are also reducing the impact of volatility in a single asset that will affect your portfolio as a whole. So, ultimately it is minimizing the risk of permanent loss, as in case any one of your assets crashes, the rest of your assets will be performing differently at that particular point in time.
So, upto a certain level, you are minimizing your risk factors while diversifying your Crypto investments. As a result, you are increasing your chances of getting more returns over time.
Top Crypto Diversification Strategies
Now, you know why it is always advised to diversify your Crypto investment. Now we will also guide you with the process; that is how. However, crypto genisus is always there for guiding you on Crypto investment.
Knowing these tactics will help you in making firmer decisions on Crypto investments and diversification of your Crypto portfolio.
1. Diversifying By Industry
Just the way you invest in stocks from different sectors for protecting yourself in case one sector takes a hit. You also can apply that strategy here in your Crypto investment. Diversify your investment in Cryptos from different industries.
Here is a list of some of the major industries with considerable Crypto projects.
● Energy.
● Supply chain.
● Medicine.
● Decentralized finance.
● Finance.
● Identity.
● Data and analytics.
● AI or Artificial Intelligence.
Regional diversification, which means Crypto projects from different regions of the world, is also an excellent way of diversifying.
2. Diversifying The Type Of Cryptocurrency
There are a huge number of options when it comes to Cryptocurrencies. So, instead of putting all your money in a single Cryptocurrency project, you can diversify your investment in several Cryptocurrencies.
It does not mean you will just select a random coin and invest 20% of your total investment amount there. You have to consider some essential factors for selecting the right Cryptocurrency to invest in.
3. Time Diversification
We hope you get this point from the very name itself. Time diversification implies “investing over time”. You might also have heard the term “dollar-cost averaging,” both of them are the same. Suppose you have $40,000 to invest. Instead of investing the whole amount at once, you can think of investing $1,000 to $4,000 on a monthly basis.
This automatically lowers the risk of having to time perfectly the market for making the best return. Time the market is an effective strategy in the investment sector, but it also comes with its own risk. So, if you want to avoid the risk, you should think of time diversifying.
Diversify Your Crypto Investment
When you are strategizing your Crypto investment and developing a proper planning point-wise, do not forget to include diversification. As we have discussed in this article, it has the potential to offer you higher returns by lowering the investment risks upto a certain level. However, always remember, there is no strategy that will eliminate the risk of Crypto investment.
More Resources:
What is the Best Instant Cryptocurrency Exchange?
Exciting Facts About Cryptocurrency And Crypto Wallets
How To Become A Successful Cryptocurrency Trader In 5 Easy Steps
No matter what route you take to the rental market, you’re making an exciting step in life. Many people believe that becoming a landlord is fail-proof. However, although the process can be both financially and mentally rewarding, there are downsides and potential pitfalls. Renting out a second property is ideally an investment and, as such, several risks come with it. As a result, you need to protect your investment and mitigate against risk. Here’s how you can do just that to make sure that you are getting returns for your investment.
1. Take Out Insurance Being The Landlord:
Traditional insurance doesn’t usually cover rental properties. As a result, you should take out specialist landlord insurance. As well as protecting your home in the same way traditional home insurance would, landlord insurance can protect you against other problems, such as unpaid rent or a tenant injuring themselves at your property. Get a company that offers the best insurance deals to landlords and insure your property with them.
2. Draw Up the Correct Contract:
The correct tenancy agreement can help you in case you need to evict a tenant or take action against them. The vast majority of rental agreements come to an amicable end, but there may be times when you need to evict your tenant. A correct tenancy agreement will provide you with the framework to issue either a Section 21 notice (giving them two months’ notice) or a Section 8 notice, which allows the person to seek possession under particular grounds such as rent regions and anti-social behaviour (more information on both of these notices can be found here). Make sure that the tenancy agreement that you craft will protect you under all circumstances.
3. Take A Security Deposit:
Taking a security deposit or a damage deposit (usually a month’s rent) allows you to protect you and your property against any breakages or damages. It is important to put these measures in place if you want to be sure that you are on the safe side.
You must place the deposit in a concern that is regulated by a government deposit scheme, such as the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The deposit is then returned to the tenant at the end of the tenancy unless they fail to meet the terms of a tenancy agreement, cause damage to the property or fail to pay rent and bills.
4. Ensure There’s an Inventory:
Before your tenant moves in, you should complete an inventory of everything currently in the property. As well as listing everything currently in the property, you should also list its current state, including any dents, scratches or stains.
Once this is complete, you should have a walk around the property with the tenant. Then you can both confirm everything listed is present and the condition described is accurate. When this process has been completed, you should both sign and date the inventory.
5. Have a Financial Buffer:
Finally, you should ensure you have a financial buffer, in case you have to pay for running repairs. The costs for running a rental property can quickly stack up. Although you could take out an installment loan to finance any major payments, it’s advisable to have a pot of savings before you begin, in case you need to finance any running repairs.
Read Also:
Is Property Investment Still A Good Way To Make Money?
6 Expert Tips For Finding The Right Home To Buy
