Managing a business without adequate finances can be challenging. You will not be able to manage the business appropriately if you do not have sufficient funds in your account. Getting the funds you need is not an easy task either unless you know how to apply for a small business loan. There are a number of factors which you need to consider before making an application for a business loan.
Things have changed drastically ever since the economic meltdown with banks and lending institutions tightening up on the availability of finances for small businesses. This does not mean that you will not be able to apply for a small business loan. It just means that you will have to make additional efforts before you can get the finances necessary for your business.
[su_quote cite="Doris Lessing" class="cust-pagination"]Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing. [/su_quote]
Making An Application For A Small Business Loan
Unlike in the past when you only had to approach banks within your location things have changed dramatically after the introduction of the Internet. You can presently make an application for a small business loan from the comfort of your home confident in the knowledge that you will get an approval from the lender within a short time. However, you need to specify the kind of loan you are looking for and the repayment period best suited for your requirements.
If you are interested in obtaining a small business loan which allows you to make the payments over an extended period of time but also offers you an opportunity to pay lower interest charges you should be making an application for an SBA loan which is partially guaranteed by the government.
Do not be under the impression that an SBA loan can be easily obtained because these loans are offered to business owners who have strong borrowing histories. The interest rates applicable for SBA loans are the lowest but they are not available to you within a short time. You must be prepared to wait for some time and also to provide the documentation that is demanded by the bank. This is a loan which will help you to expand your business or refinance any other debts but if your company has a limited track record or if your credit scores are poor you can expect your application to be rejected. An SBA loan will be available to in approximately three weeks if you are able to satisfy the requirements of the lender
Alternative Options Available For Making an Application For A Small Business Loan
An SBA loan is not the only option which is available to you for submitting an application for a business loan. If the finances needed by you is in the region of $35,000 you can apply for a personal loan which can be used for finance a small business. The best part about making an application for a personal loan for small business lies in the fact that you get an approval from the lender within a day. The repayment term of the loan will be around 3 to 5 years and the interest rates are in the original 5.99% or 36% APR. Personal loans are especially beneficial for new businesses that do not have a financial history which can be produced before lenders. The interest rates are lower than some business loans making them a great option for new companies that are looking for financing to expand their business.
If you do not have the time needed to visit traditional banks and make applications for a business loan you can utilize online options that are also available. In many cases, online lenders do not request for any documentation and in most cases complete the entire procedure within a few hours of receiving the application. The ease of application and approval could easily tempt you into making an application online. However, you are advised to exercise some caution and only deal with reputable lenders that can be verified. You should also be aware of payday loan lenders who you should be staying away from.
[su_quote cite="Eric Maskin" class="cust-pagination"]"A contingent bailout policy - implicit or explicit - must be coupled with some regulation of what banks can and cannot do. For example, a ban on lending to uncreditworthy customers might well make sense."[/su_quote]
If you have good credit scores and the paperwork necessary in hand you will not face any difficulties in making an application for a small business loan and will get the finances needed without having to wait for a lengthy period.