Obtaining a small business loan is a necessity for business growth or sustaining operations. However, it can sometimes be challenging to find a loan for which you qualify. Here are five steps to getting the small business loan that you need:
- Determine what you need the funds for: Knowing the specific purpose of the funds will help you figure out the right loan.
- Determine your eligibility: Learn what lenders look at to determine if you can qualify for financing.
- Gather your information: Obtaining all of the necessary paperwork before you apply will save you time.
- Find the right lender: Ask questions and make an informed decision on where to apply.
- Submit your application: Apply for funding from the right lender and get the loan you need.
1. Determine What You Need Funds For
An important part of the process of getting a loan is knowing what funds will be used for. There are many different loan options for a business. Some types of loans can be used for multiple purposes and others only in specific situations.
The qualifications will vary based on the type of loan you apply for and which lender you apply with. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate your options and do your homework before applying for a loan that you may not qualify for or is not best suited for your business.
Equipment
Businesses that need a vehicle, a piece of machinery, or other larger items will obtain equipment loans secured by liens placed on the equipment they are purchasing. In some cases, equipment leases may make sense for a business owner, although the overall cost may be higher than for a loan.
Growth
Loans for business expansion, such as moving into a new and larger location, often require getting a commercial real estate mortgage or a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan to help finance your need.
Starting a Business
If you are starting a business, a startup loan is often needed. These loans can fund initial operations and incurred expenses as part of the launch of your business.
Buying a Business
Business acquisition loans typically come from banks and credit unions. Collateral is often in the form of business assets. A certified business evaluation is often needed as part of the loan process.
Working Capital
A business line of credit or invoice factoring loan makes sense to finance working capital needs. If your credit score is high enough and business performance is sufficient, the line of credit is preferred given interest rates and fees are much lower.
In some cases, multiple needs can be bundled together into a larger loan package that is secured by real estate, business assets, and/or equipment. An SBA 7(a) loan can be teamed up with a business line of credit, for example, and be backed by real estate.
2. Determine Your Eligibility
Lenders will vary in eligibility requirements for the loan products they offer. It’s important to understand the most important factors that lenders will consider.
Credit Score
Owners with a significant stake in a business, typically 20% or more ownership, will have their personal credit score checked as part of the application process by the vast majority of lenders.
Having a lower than optimal credit score doesn’t make it impossible to get a business loan, but it is something that banks consider to be very important. In a recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) survey, 91.6% of banks consider a business owner’s credit score as an important factor in lending.
If your FICO score is 680 or higher, it’s relatively easy to qualify for most loans. Nonbank lenders may approve with scores as low as 500 to 600 but will charge you significantly higher interest rates.
Collateral
For traditional lenders, collateral is important for obtaining financing. Equipment or commercial real estate will often serve as collateral for those specific types of loans. Additionally, other business or personal assets can sometimes be used.
Nonbank lenders may not require collateral, but they will often place a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien on your business assets. The vast majority of lenders will require a personal guarantee.
Length of Time Business Has Operated
Unless a business owner has a track record in the industry that they are starting a new business in, it is tough to get an initial loan without paying higher interest rates or utilizing a rollover for business startups (ROBS) plan. Nonbank lenders may require a few months to a year in operation before getting funding while traditional lenders may want as much as two years of experience.
Business Profitability & Repayment Ability
Business owners need to be able to show that they either are profitable or are on a path to profitability as well as show that they can afford their loan payments to obtain financing.
Banks will determine profitability and repayment ability by calculating your debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). Your DSCR is the amount of debt relative to income, calculated by dividing net operating income by the total of your debt and interest payments. Lenders prefer a DSCR of 1.25 or higher.
3. Gather Your Information
Bank lenders will require you to obtain and submit several pieces of information to obtain financing. Nonbank lenders may require less information, but business owners should have access to this information in case you are asked for it as it will save time.
Tax Returns
Many lenders will require the three most recently completed full tax returns for the business and any owners with a 20% or larger stake in the business.
Business and Personal Financials
Business financials that banks and nonbank lenders may require include a balance sheet and an income statement for the current year. If you have business accounting software, these reports should be easy to generate.
Personal financial statements are also used to gauge an owner’s net worth. The SBA has a comprehensive one that can be used.
Business Plan (Often Required for SBA Financing)
If you are starting a business, have experienced a year with a loss in income, or are a business that will ultimately require SBA financing, a business plan may be required by a lender. The plan should detail what the loan will be used for and have financial projections to show how your business will do over the coming two to three years.
Business plans serve as an educational tool to lay out a case for why the lender should give you money. Additional information may be required depending on whether you are a startup or an existing business in an industry a lender is not familiar with, as well as the amount of the loan you are requesting.
The SBA partners with several organizations, including Service Corps of Retired Entrepreneurs (SCORE), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), and Women’s Business Centers, to help small businesses develop business plans.
4. Find the Right Lender
A lender that has experience in lending to businesses in your industry will understand what your business needs better. Some larger lenders have specific lending teams that deal with specific types of loans, such as commercial real estate, equipment financing, or lines of credit. An experienced lender can help determine the right type of loan to apply for and may structure a loan package based on your specific needs.
Some questions you should ask potential lenders before you apply for a small business loan are:
- What fees are involved with originating and closing on a small business loan?
- What does your application process entail?
- How long does it take to get a decision?
- What documentation do I need to provide with the application?
- Will I need to submit a business plan with the application?
- Do you require a personal guarantee?
If you are applying for a line of credit, some additional questions to ask include:
- What is the annual fee?
- Can I draw on the line of credit online or on a mobile app?
If you are applying for a term loan, some additional questions to ask include:
- Is there a prepayment penalty?
- What is the required repayment schedule?
5. Submit Your Application
Applying for a business loan can occur online through the lender’s website. If you use a traditional lender, the application may also be made in person. The application process can take minutes for short-term financing or much longer for a commercial mortgage or a larger loan deal.
Approval time on loans varies based on where you apply, how much you apply for, and if an appraisal is needed on real estate.
If you are not sure of where to apply, Lendio is one option worth considering. Lendio partners with 75 financial institutions and offers multiple options for financing, including commercial mortgages and lines of credit.
Bottom Line
There are many options for financing available for businesses. While the process for getting a loan can appear daunting at first, understanding the different types of financing available, getting your relevant information together, and asking questions of lenders will help you in your journey for financing.
