5 Questions to ask when deciding on an SBA Loan

25 June 2019

Capital is to a business what oxygen is to a plant. Without it, the business cannot grow and will very likely starve and die. Businesses find their capital in a variety of ways. Some simply have wealthy owners or investors who are willing to take the risk and provide the business the funding it needs to get started up and to take on major projects. Others sell stocks or bonds in the hopes of raising enough cash. While this may be the ideal situation for most businesses, it is not what most end up doing. For most businesses, the standard way to raise money is to get a business loan from a bank.

The government knows this and has created a number of programs trying to help American small business succeed. For instance, the Small Business Administration, or SBA, has several different types of loans that are meant to privilege small businesses and help them grow. These are usually a great option for most small businesses. Is an SBA loan right for your business? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself.

1. Do I have all the information the bank will need?

Since SBA loans are secured by the government, they have a standardized set of required information that must be sent into the bank. A few highlights from this list are:

A well thought out business plan
A business license
A business credit report
Business tax returns
Resumes of key personnel
Personal tax returns
Personal financial statements from stakeholders with more than 20% of the business

As you can see, the requirements here are rather extensive. The SBA is trying to minimize the default risk on these loans that they are ensuring.

2. Is my business eligible?

SBA loans are meant to be accessible, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will be able to get one. The program does not rely on taxpayer money, so it takes steps to remain solvent. To be eligible, your business must be based and operate out of the United States. It must also work within an approved (though very large) list of industries. You must show that you are not able to get the same credit at reasonable terms through other means and also be below size requirements, typically meaning less than $15,000,000 in annual revenue.

3. Why am I seeking a loan?

This is a good question to ask whether it is a personal or business loan. When seeking business credit, you must make sure your motivation is correct. Too many business owners get stuck financing vanity projects or trying to keep up cash flows with borrowed money when they really need to fix the root problem. It is always a good idea to speak with an accountant or financial professional before taking on business debt. Not only can they advise you if it is the best course of action, but they can also help you structure the business and the debt itself in the best way for your company.

4. Should I get an SBA Express loan?

Knowing what kind of loan you need is just as important as knowing whether you need a loan or not. The SBA has six major categories of loans, so you will need to do your research before deciding which is right for you. For instance, there are options for businesses that need money quickly. The SBA Express loan program can get you approved for a loan in as little as 36 hours, much faster than the standard three months for most loans. If you need money now, it is there for you, but only if you are financing for the right reasons.

5. How will I pay it back?

Loans are a normal part of business, and many businesses would not be where they are today without the financial help they received early on. That said, having a repayment plan is just as critical as every other step of the process. The bank you take your SBA loan out with will be more than happy to help you plan out how to repay them. It is worth noting that SBA loans do have an extra fee attached, anywhere from below 1% to around 3.5%. This is to make sure the program can stay solvent going forward since it does not receive taxpayer money, as previously mentioned. This fee is amortized over the life of the loan and is simply added into the payments you already have to make, so it is not even an out of pocket expense you need to budget for.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list of questions. Anytime you are considering borrowing money, you need to do a tremendous amount of research and make sure that it is really the right decision for your business. Ultimately, you are the only one that will know whether or not this is the right course of action. Some business owners cite their gut feeling on this, others have methodologies for deciding. Regardless of your process speak to an expert about your financing options. Your business will thank you!

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5 Tactics to Improve Your Credit Score This Year

Inflation is up, money is tight, and your credit score is in the gutter. What a way to start the year! Instead of wallowing in self-pity, it’s time to finally do something about your unfortunate credit score. This January, kick-off an improvement plan to improve your credit score by the time the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31. 5 Lucrative Ways Improve Your Credit Score: 1. Know What You’re Working With You can’t fix a problem you can’t see. If you’ve been avoiding checking your credit score for fear of what you’ll find, get over yourself. Now is the time to set aside your pride and review the damage. Your credit score impacts nearly every financial move you make. Working to improve it now, before you consider shopping for a major purchase, can make your life easier. Pull up your free annual credit report to review the data that’s been reported to the credit bureaus. If you’ve got missed payments, high credit utilization, or too many accounts, take note. Then consider your overall score. Anything under 700 should be seen as an opportunity to improve. Now you’re ready to create your action plan. 2. Take Action Daily You can make measured improvements on your credit score just by being mindful of your daily actions. If you struggle with overspending, pause before you swipe your card. Consider whether the purchase you’re about to make meets your goals and if you’ve got the money to repay the balance. If the answer to either is no, resist the urge to buy. Instead, save up for want-based purchases so you can treat yourself without sacrificing financial security. In an e-commerce age, you probably can’t eliminate plastic from your purchasing repertoire entirely, but you can be smarter about it. Familiarize yourself with different payment options like a credit builder card. These cards are secured by a funds transfer or initial deposit. Every time you pay your bill, your good payment history is reported to the credit bureaus. Over time, this great track record can improve your score. 3. Get Your Budget on Point The way you spend often dictates how well you can keep up with the demands of your bills. While everyone has core expenses across housing, food, and transportation, it’s essential to manage one’s variable expenses. Sit down with the last two months of your spending history to identify budget busters and trends you’d like to address. If dining out is a sore spot for your budget, create a system to help you indulge with purpose. Set a dollar amount that you can spend without dipping into cash reserves dedicated for other expenses. Think about why you like to spend in this category and whether there’s another way to fill your cup. If your real desire is to spend time with friends, pivot to hosting a small potluck dinner once a month. Adjust your spending toward this event, and you just may find you like the results better than gathering at restaurants. 4. Dispute Inaccuracies Your comprehensive credit report may be telling lies about you. If your careful review identifies inaccuracies in your report, it’s in your best interest to dispute them. Late payments are one of the biggest dings on your credit report. If you’re a reliable payer, it’s only fair to fix any errors in your report. First, reach out to the company reporting the information to the bureaus to dispute your account status. Then report the error to the credit reporting bureaus. You’ll need to include a dispute form and documentation supporting your case. This process can take months to resolve, so stay the course on other credit-boosting activities while you wait. Inaccurate reports happen, so it’s important to review your credit report regularly so you can quickly address them. 5. Attack the Two Most Impactful Credit Factors Put your energy into the most impactful parts of your credit score: on-time payments and credit utilization. Your payment history drives 35% of your credit score. If you have a history of late payments, you’re killing your score. Catch up on missed payments and create a system to help you manage your bills. Set up autopay for your core bills (rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc.) so you can ensure that your obligations are covered. The second most impactful area of your financial behavior is credit utilization, which makes up 30% of your score. Credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit that you’re using at any given time — signifies how well you manage money. Work to keep your utilization below 30% to earn a good mark from the credit bureaus. If you can, request a credit limit increase to improve that percentage, but resist the urge to tap into it. Consider making payments toward your balance as you make changes to keep your utilization low. Creating the Accountability to Stay on Track Any goal is more achievable when you breathe life into it. So create a vision board of your credit score goals and post it where you can see it daily. Talk about your plan with your friends and family to create an accountability team for your new credit-building habits. Monitor your progress regularly and course-correct if you need to. The more you interact with your plan and assess your behavior, the more likely you are to be successful. Who knows? After a year of hard work, sacrifice, and intentional effort, your score could even climb from poor to exceptional. Read Also: Revolving Debt Vs Installment Debt – Which Impacts your Credit Score Why Would I Need A Business Credit Report? No Credit Rating Check Lendings Online split Second Authorization 5 Credit Card Perks that are Noteworthy How a Smart Guy Gets an Amazing Commercial Lease with Bad Credit

Top Reasons To Choose A Local Independent Insurance Agent

Selecting an independent insurance agent is a critical decision that can greatly impact financial well-being. An insurance agent can offer guidance and protection for your most valuable assets. Therefore, finding the right agent can be overwhelming, specifically when considering the myriad options available. Since insurance is a complex field, having a trustworthy agent is crucial when considering getting the required coverage. In this article, you will discover the top reasons for selecting an independent insurance agent. List Of Top Reasons To Select A Local Insurance Agent Below is a list of reasons for selecting a local independent insurance agent. 1. They Give You A Choice Independent insurance agents represent several insurance companies offering different price points and wide coverage options. Most of them sell to five to eight different insurance companies on average. Thus, there is no requirement for you to accept one quote from one company, and you do not have to spend long hours filling out online applications. Similarly, with the agent’s connection and expertise, the agent will be able to find better insurance than you might find for yourself. Hence, they will find you the right blend of coverage, price, and services. 2. Are Personal Advisers The agents will not only help you find the right competitive pricing, but they will also make sure that you are adequately covered. Thus, when you work face-to-face with an agent, it becomes your source of personal advice. Furthermore, they also take time to listen to your query and understand your individual needs. Moreover, a local insurance agent will assist you to be appropriately covered and avoid ending up insurance-poor or suffering a loss. Visit the website and hire the best professional to meet your needs. 3. They Are Licensed Experts Independent agents can assist you in explaining the complexities of insurance in simple terms, helping you make smart moves. Moreover, the agents will help you make a career out of assessing your insurance needs and matching them with the insurance carrier that will be best equipped to meet those needs. Therefore, if you are working on wills, you are likely to visit an attorney and ensure that documents are drawn up correctly. So, remember to seek advice from a licensed insurance professional to protect your property and vehicle properly. 4. Are A Consultant For Lifetime Independent insurance agents periodically review your coverage. Similarly, they also help you through all the changes in your life. For instance, if you are moving from a rented house to an apartment, if you are about to get married, or if you are adding drivers to your auto policy. Furthermore, if you have a claim or bill concern or want to resubmit your coverage, the agent will be there to advocate for you and work with the insurance company on your behalf. On the other hand, the agents will direct you while deciding what coverage and limits you need to protect your family from. Thus, they offer you a lifetime service and advice. 5. Vast Expertise And Experience Independent agents have vast expertise and skills as they are aligned with different companies. With a deeper understanding of the complexities of insurance policies, the agents will guide you in making informed decisions. So, ensure you look for an agent that will offer you a proven track record, relevant certification as well as a commitment to stay updated on the latest industry trends. Therefore, one of the major reasons to select an independent agent is that they will help you navigate the insurance techniques and meet your specific needs. 6. Extensive Product Knowledge As product knowledge varies widely from person to person, an independent agent offers accessibility and responsive solutions whenever you inquire. On the other hand, if you seek home, vehicle, life, or business insurance, the agent can explain every policy detail. Similarly, they will also help you with your coverage limits, exclusives, and deductibles. Therefore, they will help you adapt to customized insurance packages that fit your unique requirements. Hence, the agent will help you select the right coverage and explain the implications of different policy options. 7. Easy To Communicate Effective communication is important when it comes to insurance. Thus, an independent agent will help you access and be responsive to any of your queries. This is one of the primary reasons for selecting a local independent agent. Furthermore, if you prefer communication through phone calls, in-person, and emails, the agents ensure that their communication aligns with your understanding and preference. Clear communication is important during the claim process, so select a transparent and prompt independent agent. In addition, the agents also make the entire insurance experience less stressful and smoother. 8. Offers Financial stability An often-overlooked aspect of selecting the right insurance agent is considered based on financial stability. Thus, the financially stable insurer is likely to fulfill the obligations in a claim. However, it is important to research the strengths rating of the insurance company and find out about the claim's payment history. Thus, an independent agent is financially secure as they can withstand economic fluctuations and offer long-term stability for your coverage. How Will You Find The Right Insurance Agent? Here are a few tips that will help you navigate the process and find the ideal insurance agent: Check the list of companies the insurance agent represents. Similarly, understand the difference between the two and who can determine which type of agent suits your needs best. Seek referrals from family and friends. Take benefit of a wealth of information available on the internet. It will give you information about the agent’s professionalism and responsiveness. Choose an agent who gives quick responses, is easy to communicate with, and can explain complex terms. Assess the insurance agent’s commitment to customer service. Lastly, trust your instincts. Moreover, it is better to keep searching if something does not feel right. Summing Up Thus, remember that your relationship with a good independent agent is likely to last a longer time. So, take your time and choose the right one. Similarly, there are many ways to assess a good insurance agent. The top reasons are a good starting point. However, take your time to evaluate these factors, and you can make an informed decision that aligns with your insurance needs and offers you confidence in your coverage. So, work with an insurance agent who can help you with social transactions and will be a long-term partner in securing your financial future. Read Also: 5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals For A Secure Future 10 Estate Planning Tips To Help You Prepare For The End Everything you Need to Know About Term Insurance Plan Premium

There is A Way To Save Yourself From Student Loans in 2021

Student loans can be helpful. You take out a loan to enroll in higher education, which can land you in better job opportunities, increasing your income. But of course, it can be a bit tough to save while you repay your student loans. Regardless, there are ways to save yourself from student loans, especially if you can manage the interest loans and pay more than the minimum. Here are effective ways to save yourself from student loans and pursue your dream job. 1. Pay Off Your Student Debt Faster The easiest way to get rid of your student loans is to pay faster. If you can, send massive payments to your loan servicer every month and do so ahead of schedule. Another method is to make half payments every two weeks instead of the full monthly payment. When that happens, you send the equivalent of an additional payment every year. Of course, you may not have the discretionary income to make the extra payments. However, you can get a side job and earn extra income on the side to increase your income. You have the power to do so. Here’s a little bit of motivation: consider how increasing your monthly or weekly payments can help you become debt-free faster. You can even save interest costs on top of that. You can use a student loan repayment calculator to show you how the smallest payments affect your student loans. 2. Find Out The Type Of Student Loans You Have It's essential to know the type of student loans you have and develop a repayment plan that helps you. If you have federal student loans, visit the National Student Loan Data System. You can check your student loans there. There are four broad categories of student loans: graduated, standard, extended, or income-driven repayment. Let’s go through them. Standard plan: Your loan servicer will divide the total amount of money you owe with the standard plan and spread it over ten years. If you pay the same amount for the next ten years, you'll finish paying your student loans. Graduated plan: Just like the standard plan, this plan lasts for ten years. However, you start your monthly payments by paying less. Your payment for each month increases every two years. This option is ideal for borrowers who are sure that their income will increase in the future. Extended plan: With this plan, you pay a lower amount over a long period. Income-driven repayment (IDR) plan: The IDR plan lets you pay off your student loans for the next 20 or 25 years, depending on your chosen plan. But the payments will always be what you can manage every month. After 20 or 25 years, any amount you haven't paid yet will be forgiven. If you choose this plan, you'll have to certify your income annually. There are limited private student loan forgiveness options available for student loans. You’ll have to call your loan servicer to find out any available options for you. 3. Make Extra Payments, But Do It The Right Way There's no penalty whatsoever when you pay more than the minimum or pay your student loans early. However, the prepayment comes with a caveat: loan lenders may apply the additional amount to the next month's payment. When the student loan servicers do that, it pushes your due date forward, but it won't help pay off your student loans faster. What you need to do is to instruct your lender, either through the mail, phone, or online, to apply any extra payments to your current balance. In addition, remind them to keep next month's due date the same. You can make additional payments any time in the month. Another way is to make a lump-sum loan payment on the due date. Whichever you choose, you can save lots of money. 4. Refinance If You Have Good Credit And A Good Job Refinancing your student loans can help you get rid of your loan debts faster, and you don’t have to make additional payments. When you refinance, it replaces several student loans with one private loan, usually at a lower interest rate. If you want to make faster repayments, choose a new loan term that’s less compared to what you have left in your current student loans. Going in for a shorter loan term may increase your payments each month. However, it’ll help you clear off your student loans faster and save money on interest. Final Thoughts The strategies explained above can help you pay back your student loans and save money. But not all the repayment methods can help you do that. Some repayments are designed to help you manage your debts, such as income-based repayment plans. These plans can help you clear off your debt on time and in full. Now, even though it can help you today, you'll end up paying more money in interest charges over your loan life. It is worth mentioning, some educational institutes like Navient were forced to close due to fraudulent activities. These institutions are to compensate students who are affected. Check to see if you apply to these compensations If you don’t have a clear solution, you may need to talk to a student loan expert. Read Also: Understanding the Steps in Debt Collection How to Reduce the Cost of College Textbooks How To Impress A Recruiter If You Are Still A Student

5 Questions to ask when deciding on an SBA Loan

1. Do I have all the information the bank will need?

2. Is my business eligible?

3. Why am I seeking a loan?

4. Should I get an SBA Express loan?

5. How will I pay it back?

7 Reasons to Apply for a Loan Online

Bitcoin Profit Review 2019

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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5 Tactics to Improve Your Credit Score This Year

Top Reasons To Choose A Local Independent Insurance Agent

There is A Way To Save Yourself From Student Loans in 2021

5 Questions to ask when deciding on an SBA Loan

1. Do I have all the information the bank will need?

2. Is my business eligible?

3. Why am I seeking a loan?

4. Should I get an SBA Express loan?

5. How will I pay it back?

Share this Article

7 Reasons to Apply for a Loan Online

Bitcoin Profit Review 2019

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

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