5 min read. – April 22 by Joe Camberato
For borrowers unfamiliar with how it works, the process of underwriting small business loans can be shrouded in mystery. After submitting the initial application, many small business owners are left in the dark when it comes to underwriting.
However, underwriting is one of the most important parts of your loan process. The underwriting process can essentially make or break your ability to secure financing.
In order to have the best shot at getting approved, you’ll have to know everything about underwriting—such as what lenders are looking for and which strategies can improve your application.
Just like a mortgage or personal loan, small business loans also go through a process called underwriting. Lenders use a mix of technology and human expertise after you apply for a loan to determine whether to approve your business for financing, for how much, and at what rates.
During the process of underwriting small business loans, lenders are trying to understand 3 things that will help them determine your eligibility.
First and foremost, lenders need to know whether your business will have the financial ability to pay back the loan plus the interest.
Lenders also need to know you’re willing to meet your financial obligations and make payments on time.
Finally, lenders want to know how your business will manage to stay afloat and make payments in case of an unforeseeable event—such as a fire, economic recession, or another revenue disruption.
These three factors help lenders to understand how your business will fare when it comes time to make payments. Depending on how you measure up, you may qualify for a number of options.
Lenders will look into your loan application and ask you to provide a number of documents to help them determine whether to approve your business loan. What you will be asked to submit and what the lenders will examine can vary according to the institution. However, most lenders will review the following.
Lenders will use your income statements to verify your revenue and understand your ability to repay what you’ve borrowed when underwriting small business loans. Many lenders will also use your income statements to determine your loan amount based on cash flow. While funding amounts vary, most small businesses can get about 10% of their annual revenue at most.
Lenders will check your credit report for any late payments and delinquencies to determine how willing you are to pay them back. Some businesses that have the financial means won’t always follow through with their payments. Your credit report, especially your personal credit score, will point out any potential risks.
How will you spend the money from your business loan? Do you expect revenue to increase in the coming months or years and why? Have you worked out how your business will repay the loan in case of an unexpected event?
Lenders will have these questions in mind when reviewing your application and look to your business plan for answers. This is generally required at banks, but not at fintech lenders like National.
One way lenders can ensure they are paid back is by enforcing a collateral requirement. They may ask you to put up your business assets or even personal assets.
It’s also not uncommon for banks, online lenders, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to put a general lien on your property.
However, there are plenty of unsecured loans and lines of credit that you can also qualify for in the market.
If your lender isn’t requiring collateral, they will most definitely be looking into your business’ debt-to-asset ratio. This is an important part of the small business loan underwriting process, and will tell them whether your business has enough assets to cover your loan in case of default.
More often than not, lenders will want you to have more assets than debts, although some will approve you even with a 1:1 ratio.
Unfortunately, there are a few things that appear as red flags to lenders during the application process which could inevitably affect your chances of funding.
Knowing the deal breakers is just as important as knowing what lenders look for. Watch out for the following:
Not all these factors will be red flags for every lender. For example, some lenders may be willing to approve you for a business loan even if you have poor credit or a recent drop in revenue. Online lenders, especially fintech lenders, are known for more flexible requirements.
There’s a few strategies you should implement a few months before and during the underwriting process to have the best chance for approval. These tips can help ensure your deal pushes through and you get the financing you need.
If you’re not reporting it, then your revenue may not take you that far.
By depositing all your monies into your business bank account—including credit card sales and cash—you’ll signal to lenders that you have enough cash on hand to meet your payments.
Depositing all your monies will also help keep your business bank account in the positive. It’s crucial to keep your account from going into the negative during the underwriting process.
When it comes to underwriting for small business loans, liquidity is king. You want to show lenders you have a hefty amount of visibly liquid assets, such as cash, stocks, accounts receivable, inventory, and more. This will show lenders you have the means to repay the loan, even in the case of unanticipated challenges.
While a sudden spike in revenue is always welcomed, lenders ultimately prefer to see a consistent flow of revenue.
Lenders are trained to track down all documents, spot inconsistencies, and ensure everything is accurate. Don’t think you can mislead them – the underwriter will find out!
Make sure to accurately report your debt, revenue, and all your bank accounts. Remember, if the underwriter discovers something you’ve tried to hide, it could hurt your chances for approval.
What can you expect the underwriting small business loans process to look like? Timeframes can vary according to different types of lenders. For example, online lenders are known to be faster than traditional banks.
Make sure to ask your lender about the expected timeframe. You’ll want to ensure you’re following the tips we’ve outlined above for the entire duration of the underwriting process to give yourself the best chances for approval.
Overall the underwriting small business loans process consists of 3 distinct steps:
Know that different lenders are looking for different criteria. If you’re rejected for a business loan or want to consider a few of your options before agreeing to a deal, make sure to get in touch with National.
At National, we help small businesses secure the financing they need to get ahead. Whether you’re looking for a business loan or a line of credit, we provide you with the best options available in the market.
Fill out our 60-second application and one of our expert Business Financing Advisors will reach out!
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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/
