5 Questions to ask when deciding on an SBA Loan

by

25 June 2019

Finance

SBA Loan

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!

Read Also:

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.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Desperate for Money

9 Vital Options for When You’re Desperate for Money

Most people themselves in a financial jam from time to time, but not everyone knows what to do when it happens! The initial reaction is a sense of panic or desperation. But at some point, logic steps in and reminds those who are short on cash to take action and turn things around. If you're in need of money fast and you're not sure what action is best, don't worry. Take a deep breath and keep reading. Here are nine things you can do if you're desperate for money. 1. Pawn Something You Own: Maybe you don't have too much money in your bank account right now, but chances are you have plenty of things you can sell for quick cash. The real issue comes down to what you're willing to part ways with and how much you can get for the things you pawn. Take a moment to consider all the electronics you don't use anymore and the jewelry you never wear. See if there are any pieces of furniture around your home that are in good condition but that you wouldn't mind not having. It's not like you have to turn in every single thing of value you own. A few personal sacrifices can go a long way, though. 2. Go Through Your Closet: Instead of pawning one or two things of value, consider getting rid of a lot of things of average value--like a bag of old clothes. There are tons of consignment shops and thrift stores that are willing to purchase the old clothes you rarely ever wear. The thing is, your clothes have to be in good condition, and you shouldn't expect to get the same amount money back as what you paid. Still, one bag of clothes can become the money you need to do groceries for the week or get enough gas to get to work. 3. Do Odd Jobs: Another option you have to make quick money when you're short on cash is to do odd jobs. This can be especially profitable if you just got laid off. As weird as it may sound, just take a second to think about all the odd jobs you can do in one day. You could run errands for people who are too busy to do them themselves--like walk their dogs or pick up their dry cleaning. You could babysit, mow peoples' yards, or even take out their trash. There are plenty of things that people will pay others to do if it means not having to worry about it themselves! The trick is to get out of your comfort zone and swallow your pride a bit if you want these odd jobs to help you pay your bills. 4. Pick Up a Side Job: You could do a lot of random odd jobs or you could pick up one side job in addition to the work you already do. This will take up all of your time. It will make you tired and a bit restless, but it will also help make ends meet. It's worth it, and, it could be more fun than you think! A side job could be anything from bartending at night to being a coffee shop barista in the mornings. It could mean you become a waitress or waiter or that you wash dishes in the back of a restaurant, too. 5. Sell Unused Gift Cards: Here's an interesting thought: you may have more money available to you than you think. It just may not be in the form you need it. If you have a bunch of gift cards to clothing stores and online shops, sell them. This can give you the cash in hand you need for more important things like groceries, rent, and gas. It's a simple, stress-free way to make money in a short amount of time. 6. Get a Cash Advance: Getting a cash advance isn't the best idea on this list if your credit is already really bad. But, it could help you if you're in a financial jam for the first time and you have a plan to get out of it. Cash advances give you access to money from your credit card. Instead of using your credit card to pay for things, a cash advance gives you cash to do whatever you need to do. Keep in mind the interest on this charge may be higher than your card's regular level of interest. Most cash advances also apply an added fee to the transactions. If you're looking for a better alternative, try searching for payday loans online no credit check instant approval. These will work similar to a cash advance in the sense that you'll get the money you need in a short amount of time, but, you won't have to worry about charging even more to an already steep credit card statement. 7. Try Peer to Peer Lending: Still looking for options? Consider peer to peer lending! This is a solution most people don't even know about when they're desperate for cash. It works kind of like a personal loan from a bank, but it's more flexible. To get funds from peer to peer lending, you have to find a group lending platform and apply as a borrower. Then, a lender will decide whether or not to give you their own money for a set interest rate. You then create an agreement with this lender for the amount you're going to borrow and how you're going to pay it back. 8. Borrow Money From a Friend or Family Member: If you're considering peer to peer lending, you may as well borrow money from a friend or family member. There's no shame in doing this from time to time. Your loved ones want to see you succeed, and they're usually willing to help you get out of a jam. It's not a gesture to abuse, though. You shouldn't assume that borrowing from loved ones is a safety net that will always be there. But, it is one you can rely on when something unexpected comes up that you have to figure out how to pay for. 9. Take Advantage of All the Free Services You Can: Sometimes, the best way to make money is to save more of it. If you find yourself feeling desperate for more money, be careful about how you spend the money you do have. Take advantage of every free service you can--from food stamps to public transportation to doing laundry at your parent's house. These may change your way of life for a bit and require extra planning during your day to day routine. But, it can do wonders for your personal finances. How to Never Feel Desperate for Money Again: It's one thing to figure out how to make money fast when you're desperate for money, and another to establish such a good relationship with money that you never find yourself in such a place again. This is 100% possible if you put your mind to it. You don't have to be filthy rich to be financially secure. You just have to figure out better ways to make, save, and spend your money. You can turn a little bit into a lot if you know how to best make use of it. It takes time and effort. You'll have to change a lot of your spending habits and overcome a few fears about money, too. But, you'll come out the other end in a much better place. Here are some tools to help you figure out how to become financially secure. Read Also: Hotel Jobs In NYC – Top Reasons To Explore This Opportunity How To Save More Money?

READ MOREDetails
Business Loan

How A Business Loan Helps Business People In 2023

If you want your business to get successful then you should get your hands on a small business loan right now. If you are running out of money, getting a small business loan may be the right choice for you as it can help you manage your finances. When you are running out of money it can be a very annoying situation and it can be very troublesome for you as well in the long run. That is why if you want to avoid being in such as situation then you should do a business loan because it is going to help you out a lot in this regard. In this article, we will discuss how a business loan helps business people in 2023. So keep on reading to find out more information below about the business loan. Top 4 Ways A Business Loan Helps Business People  1. More Funding The first benefit that you are going to get after getting a business loan is that you will get more funding and it is a Universal desire for every business as well. So if you want your business to succeed in the long run then you can promote yourself and become very popular on social media as a business as well. If you want to have more about the unity to promote your business then it means that you need to get some more capital so that you can invest that in your business. However, if you don't have the money then it means that you need to find out a way so you can get your hands on more capital that you can inject into your business and then make a lot of profit in the long run. For that, you need to get your hands on a business loan and it is going to be very beneficial for you in the long run so that you can fund your business.  2. Flexible The next thing that you need to do is to be more flexible and satisfy the business and financial needs of your business. You need to take care of your business because you have started it like from day one from scratch. It is like your baby that you need to take care of and that is why you need to keep injecting more money so that it can become a flexible business in the long run. For that, you can take a business loan, and then you can use it for different purposes it is going to be flexible money that you can implement anywhere you want in any operation of your business.  3. No Liability The next benefit that you are going to get after getting a business loan is that it is not going to have any liability on you. There is no requirement for you to have Collateral and if you don't have it then it is not going to be a problem. Many financial organizations are going to give you a business loan get in touch with them if you are looking for a fine answering option for your business.  4. Easy Access  The next reason why you should get your hands on a business loan is that it is going to give you very easy access to money. You can get a fixed amount of money and then you are going to inject this money into your business every month. It is going to have a lot of benefits because there is going to be a constant cash flow that is going in your business and then it is going to be very profitable. Additional: Benefits of NBFC Business Loans Top 5 Types of Startup Business Loans Help Your Business With A Government Loan What Are the Alternatives for Small Business Startup Loans?

READ MOREDetails
Loan Requirements

Title Loan Requirements: What you Do and Don’t Need

A title loan is a type of a loan where an asset is given to act as collateral, popularized because of two main reasons: When determining your qualifications, title loans don’t put your credit rating into consideration. Title loans get approved very quickly for loan amounts of as little as $ 100. This makes title loans some of the most convenient and efficient options in the lending market. The Breakdown of A Title Loan : A car title loan is the most common type of title loan. It’s a case where you as a potential borrower, you are obliged to be in possession of car outright and sign the title over to an auto loan title company.  The loan company will allow you up to 25% of the value of the car to the borrower and then retain the car’s title as collateral in case you breach the repayment agreement. It’s worth noting that the amount you want to borrow must always be put into consideration. The value of your car or the commonly called – equity in the value will set the limit of the amount of money you can borrow.  If your car has a high value, so will be your title loan. The lenders will in most cases lend you money they are sure they can get it back easily if they were to sell your car in case you default the payment. With car title loans, there are no prepayment penalties, so it’s okay and not costly if you want to pay off your loan earlier. Be Careful of Rolling Over :  A lot of title loan cases end up in rolling over. This means that you decide to prolong your payment by another 30-day loan. The disadvantage of rolling over with your title loan is that it gets very expensive and every time you extend the loan you are penalized for new loan fees. There are cases where the process of extending a car title loan is controlled by the law. Unlike the interest rates that you usually pay on credit cards, title loans have a very high cost despite the fact that there are laws that limit the interest rates. You, therefore, end up paying back more money than you actually borrowed. The Risk of Losing Your Car : Getting a car title loan sounds so good but there is always a big problem which is the risk of losing your car to your lenders. This happens in the event that you can’t pay back your lender. Your car will then become their possession and they sell it to get back their share of the money that they lend to you. Car title loans are different from bank loans, typically they have easier requirements. Here are the key dos and don’ts you need to know to apply for a title loan. What You Do Need To Apply FOR A Title Loan :  You will need the following before going for a title loan: Vehicle title with your name Valid driver’s license Proof income Proof of residence These requirements will be qualified in the following manner: Vehicle Title with Your Name :  Since the title loan is being given to you, the title of your car must be in your name, and lien-free or something close to lien free. What’s a lien-free car title? It simply means that you have total ownership of the car; it’s completely paid off with no outstanding balances or loans against it. Certifying that your vehicle is lien-free is important because the amount of money you are given on the loan is on the basis of the value of your vehicle at the time of application. A Valid Driver’s License :  For proper verification of your identity, your valid driver’s license is required. In addition, the names on the form of identification must match the name on the title of the vehicle in order to issue the loan. Proof of Income : The companies that give you loans don’t necessarily depend solely on credit scores. Rather, you will be asked to show your proof of income like: Paystubs Bank statements Monthly allowances such as retirement accounts With proof of income, you basically tell the lender how much you can afford to pay back. Proof of Residence : Since title loans aren’t given to every region, you just have to prove your current residence and also certify that you have been an ongoing resident of your current residential area for the past two years.  This same requirement is still used to verify your identity. What You Don’t Need To Apply For the Loan :  There are so many misconceptions about what you need to apply for a title loan. Mostly, you might think that you need: A good credit score A bank account A high-paying job However, contrary to popular belief, none of these requirements are essential anywhere when applying for a title loan. A Good Credit Score :  You don’t need a perfect credit score for you to get a title loan.  A good credit score doesn’t necessarily prove your eligibility for a loan. A Bank Account :  Are you worried that you don’t have a bank account? You don’t need to be. You will be provided with a check for your loan amount without having to give your account number from you. A High-paying Job :  This is one of the most popular misconceptions that is among many people. There are flexible payment options for a realistic repayment schedule and the amount you’ll feel comfortable accepting. With the right kind of documents, you can easily get a title loan. You do not need to have a high-paying job, a good credit score nor even a bank account. All you need is a clean car title and the right kind of financier willing to lend you the money. Read Also : Top 5 Types Of Startup Business Loans  

READ MOREDetails