Considering getting a small business loan but worried about the process? Getting a small business loan doesn’t have to be complicated.
We’re breaking down how to get a small business loan in 5 easy steps. Use this guide to prepare and reduce the uncertainty around the small business loan approval process.
A small business loan brings about many benefits, but not every business will qualify. While some lenders can be more lenient than others, your ability to secure a small business loan boils down to several factors - take a look.
Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders will look at while evaluating your application. You should be prepared for a business credit check as well as a personal credit check. If your business hasn’t developed credit history, your personal score will have more weight.
Banks and credit unions will almost never approve a small business loan if your credit score is below 700. However, online lenders tend to be more lenient.
National Business Capital is a fintech marketplace where you can browse over different 75 lenders, many of which don’t maintain minimum credit score requirements.
Small business is risky business. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, only about two-thirds of businesses with employees survive at least 2 years, and only half make it past the 5-year mark.
On the other hand, small business loan term lengths usually start at 1 year and can go upwards of 20 years. In order to mitigate risk, lenders want to ensure your business has a solid track record.
Most banks and credit unions will require at least 2 years of business history. Anything less and you could be turned away.
Online lenders tend to be more flexible about business history requirements. Most will be willing to approve businesses with 6 months to 1 year of operations.
However, some lenders, especially those available through National’s marketplace, are willing to work with small businesses with at least 3 months of history. Learn more here.
Starting a business is a significant accomplishment, but unless you’re bringing in revenue, you won’t have much luck securing a small business loan.
Banks and credit unions want to see at least about $250K of consistent, annual revenue. Online lenders are less strict, and some may be willing to approve your business if it can show at least $120K in annual revenue.
Make sure to contact prospective lenders and ask about their minimum revenue requirements for a more exact estimate.
Strong revenue is a positive signal to lenders. However, revenue doesn’t mean much if your expenses are eating up a large portion of your income.
Lenders want to know that you’ll be able to comfortably repay your business loan. Your cash flow, or the money moving in and out of your business bank account over time, is a solid indicator of whether you’ll be able to manage your business loan payments.
Ideally, you’ll want your total monthly gross income to be at least 1.25 times your total monthly expenses - including the loan payment. This ratio might vary according to different lenders, so make sure to ask each prospective lender about their preferred income/expense ratio.
Some lenders will insist you secure your small business loan with collateral. Loans where lenders have put up collateral, otherwise known as secured loans, are seen as less risky in the eyes of lenders than loans without collateral, or unsecured loans.
Collateral is any type of asset you or your business owns. This can be real estate, accounts receivables, inventory, and even equipment. In the event you fail to repay your business loan, the lender can seize the assets you’ve used as collateral.
Collateral can raise your borrowing amount and even get you a lower interest rate in some cases. If you have less than perfect credit or revenue gaps, banks and credit unions may insist you put up collateral in exchange for a small business loan.
Unfortunately, collateral loans can be very risky, as it gives the lender the right to come after your business property and even your personal property. You should exercise caution before using your assets as collateral.
There are 3 main types of business loans. They each serve different purposes, and you’ll want to have an idea of which option is best for you before sitting down with a lender.
Business lines of credit are ideal for ongoing or unexpected expenses, such as payroll, cash flow disruptions, marketing initiatives, inventory purchases, or even as an emergency fund. Business line of credit requirements tend to mirror small business loan requirements. Business loan: Business loans work best when you use them to invest in your next phases of growth. Whether it’s a government-backed SBA loan or a traditional loan, you’ll be able to access a large lump sum of capital to buy equipment, real estate, inventory, open a new location, and ultimately grow your business.
By now, you should have an idea of whether you’ll qualify for financing and the type of business loan that suits you best.
The next step is deciding which type of lender you’d want to work with. You have 3 main options: banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
Banks and credit unions offer business loans, business lines of credit, refinancing options, and more. The best part about working with traditional lenders is that they tend to offer lower interest rates.
However, these lenders also maintain strict requirements. You’ll need to have been in business for at least 2 years and have good credit in order to qualify for financing.
You may also have to prepare additional documents throughout the application process, such as a business plan. In some cases, you may even be asked to put up collateral.
It’s important to keep in mind that the application process at banks and credit unions is notoriously slow. It can take several weeks or months to receive funds, and any mistakes or errors on forms can set you back.
For this reason, bank and credit union business loans may not be a great option for companies that need funding fast.
Online lenders and fintech companies tend to be very lenient when it comes to requirements. It’s possible to secure financing even if you’ve only been in business for a couple of months.
These lenders are also more likely to consider approving businesses with less than perfect credit or lacking in collateral.
Alongside greater approval odds, online lenders work a lot faster than banks or credit unions. It’s possible to receive funding in a matter of days - in some cases hours.
On the downside, business loans from online lenders tend to have higher APRs than banks.
Before applying, it’s important to review and gather all required documents. Doing this will help keep you prepared, avoid mistakes, and even possibly speed up the application process.
The exact documents you will be asked to provide will depend on your lender. Nevertheless, we’ve outlined the most common documents below. Take the time now to locate the following files and make sure they’re easily accessible.
Ready to apply for a small business loan? You’ll have to have strong credit, robust revenue, at least 2 years of business history, and in some cases collateral if you want to get a business loan from a bank. On top of this, you’ll have to wait weeks, or even months, before your funds arrive.
Online lenders are more flexible and get you financing faster - sometimes within hours. They also make it a lot easier for younger businesses and those with less than perfect credit to qualify.
If you’re worried about securing the lowest interest rates possible, make sure to check out National. We’re a marketplace, with over 75 fintech companies, allowing you to pick and choose the best possible solution based on your business qualifications.
Our Business Financing Advisors can help you get started by finding the perfect financing solution for your business. Learn more by filling out our 60-second application!
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National Business Capital helps entrepreneurs secure quick and fair financing to save time and cultivate sustainable growth.
Our stress-free online platform is designed for simplicity and speed, helping business owners go from application to approval in a matter of hours. And while we remain a leader in the Fintech industry, our clients agree it’s our personalized service and award-winning team that sets us apart.
From SBA loans to lines of credit, to equipment financing, and more, business owners can access all the different financing programs available to them in one place. Through our streamlined process, we have helped clients secure $2 billion in financing since 2007, and, more importantly, we’ve helped entrepreneurs save a tremendous amount of time and grow faster.
Joseph Camberato, CEO of National Business Capital, developed a passion for business at a young age. Joe started his company in 2007 in his spare bedroom and has grown to secure over $1 Billion dollars in financing for small business owners nationwide. National’s team has an amazing culture and has been name the #1 Top Workplace on Long Island 3 years in a row and counting. Joe is a trusted financial expert who’s published more than 2,000 articles in the last 3 years. His articles have generated over 5 million page views and has been featured on blogs such as Google News, Yahoo, CNBC, Forbes Magazine, etc. His passion has also inspired him to build the "GrowByJoe” YouTube channel where he shares his insights into small business trends and tips for growth. Joe also holds a seat on Forbes Finance Council and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), a global leadership community.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/growbyjoe/
