Loans Information

How to Get a Business Loan in Five Steps


Need funds to startup or expand your business? Follow these steps:

A lender looks at a loan request in three sections known as the "three C's". They are:

  • Credit. Did you pay previous lenders back as contracted?

  • Capacity: Can you afford to pay back this loan?

  • Collateral: If you don't pay back the loan from what asset can the lender recover their principal?

Step one is:

1. Identify your strength and weaknesses in the "3 C's". Do this as would a lender - with a very critical eye. Identify your loan to value ratio and your debt service coverage ratio. If you have reason to believe that you credit is less than sterling, get a copy of your credit report including your credit score

Each lender has different criteria with the cost of the loan being higher as your strength in the "3 C's" is lower. Step two is:

2. Identify lenders who lend to your level of borrower and to your industry type. Call lenders to get their criteria. Learn about the SBA 504 program and 7A loan guarantees. Find who others in your industry have used for financing.

If there is a gap (not a canyon, just a gap) between your borrowing ability and lenders criteria, a loan broker may be able to help. They spend their working hours finding second and third tier (more aggressive and more expensive) lenders and establishing relationships with them. They can act as a salesperson for your project in ways that you as a principal cannot. Step three:

3. If you cannot find lenders on your own, consider hiring a commercial mortgage broker. Be careful - in many areas there is little or no protection under the law for commercial transactions. While a small upfront fee for out of pocket expenses is reasonable, shy away from any that want large upfront payments. If they can do the deal they will be paid very well at settlement. If they can't do the deal they shouldn't be taking your business at all.

Once you identify a list of potential lenders or hire a broker, get prepared. Do not think that the business loan process is merely a matter or forms and paperwork. While there is more paperwork than you'd ever want to see, it is more of an inquisition. Step four:

4. Be an expert salesperson for your project. Obviously, we think that your should use FundablePlans.com to build a written proposal. Whatever method you use, know your numbers and be able to defend them. Understand your market and be able to speak competently about it. Know your competition. Most importantly, (from step one) know your strengths and weaknesses as a borrower and be able to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses.

If you are successful with steps one through four, you will expect to "hit a home run". You may, but most likely you won't. Step five:

5. Don't give up. Where one lender might have too many loans of your type in her portfolio, the next may need exactly your loan to meet his goals (loan officers are paid to lend). This is not to say that you should "beat a dead horse", but if you have a viable project, a good presentation and good "C's", you will be able to get financing.

Good luck with your project, if you have questions about funding feel free to use the e-mail link below.

About The Author

Dave Miller is a business consultant and the creator of FundablePlans.com, an online business plan builder at http://www.fundableplans.com, dave@fundableplans.xom


MORE RESOURCES:

Regulating Wall Street A window to a new world
Economist, UK - Jul 3, 2008
Even Goldman Sachs, Wall Street’s sole surviving muscleman, sees the loan facility as systemically crucial. Though the amount borrowed has fallen to a daily ...
Wall Street firms reduce, banks step up Fed loans The Associated Press
Wall Street firms reduce, banks step up Fed loans | KXNet.com ... Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck
Wall Street takes less from Fed Houston Chronicle
istockAnalyst.com - The Associated Press
all 194 news articles


SBA Disaster Loan Deadline is July 28; Small Business Owners Still ...
FOXBusiness - Jul 3, 2008
Under this declaration, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to farm-related and nonfarm-related small business concerns and ...
Deadline to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans is July 25 Stamford Plus Magazine
Loan deadline looms for victims of October flood WTNH
SBA's Deadline to Apply for Physical Damage Disaster Loans Is August 5 Earthtimes (press release)
New York Times - Trading Markets (press release)
all 51 news articles


Provision for bad loans to sink M&I to loss
Bizjournals.com, NC - Jul 3, 2008
Marshall & Ilsley Corp. said Thursday that it plans to increase its allowance to cover bad loans and leases by up to $900 million because of continuing ...
M&I expects loss in 2nd quarter Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Provisions to Hit Marshall & Ilsley Wall Street Journal
UPDATE 1-Marshall & Ilsley sees loss, more bad loan charges Reuters
CNNMoney.com - Business Wire (press release)
all 47 news articles


Calcutta Telegraph

Banks encourage prepayment on home loans, waive penalty
Business Standard, India - Jul 3, 2008
With rising interest rates and inflation taking a toll on home loan customers, banks are beginning to encourage them to partly prepay their loans. ...
SBI hikes home loan interest rates by 50 bpts Thaindian.com
South Asian Syndicated Loans - news in brief, July 4, 2008 Euroweek.com
Loans get dearer as bank rate hikes take effect Economic Times
Expressindia.com - NDTV.com
all 109 news articles


NEWS.com.au

Loans industry welcomes takeover plan
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 17 hours ago
By Stephen Johnson The Federal Government's plan to take over all state-based consumer credit laws will weed out dubious home loan brokers, ...
COAG credit deal 'a coup for consumers' Sydney Morning Herald
Deal on consumer credit The Age
Consumer credit goes Federal Money Management
Broker News Australia - InvestorDaily
all 34 news articles


To Pick-A-Pay loans: Goodbye, good riddance
Charlotte Observer, NC - Jul 3, 2008
Wachovia's Pick-A-Payment loans allowed payments that didn't cover all the interest, permitting balances to grow rather than shrink. ...
Wachovia eliminates pick-a-payment loans Bizjournals.com
Pick-A-Pay's Had Its Day Forbes
Wachovia Ends Option Arms a Year Too Late Seeking Alpha
Wall Street Journal - CBS 5
all 348 news articles


Low down loans still available for vets from the VA
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 12 hours ago
BY AMY BUTTELL CRANE - Bankrate.com Shoved aside by the hot mortgage products of recent years, Veterans Affairs mortgage loans are making a comeback and are ...


GSIS loans for typhoon-hit members
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 6 hours ago
By Michelle Remo MANILA, Philippines -- The Government Service Insurance System said it would provide loans to members who were seriously affected by ...


Trikomsel secures loans to expand retail network
Telecom Paper (subscription), Netherlands - 11 hours ago
Indonesian mobile retailer Trikomsel Oke has secured USD 75 million in loans to expand its shops. The company secured loans from five banks, ...


Best Syndication

Bad Credit Loans: Hassle Fee Finance Despite Having Bad Credit
Best Syndication, CA - 3 hours ago
The reason being lenders are now offering Bad credit loans, through which you can access the monetary assistance to fulfill any need of yours. ...
Debt Consolidation Loans: Manage your Multiple Debts Best Syndication
Simple And Steady Loan Option Best Syndication
Loans For People With Bad Credit: Improves The Credibility Best Syndication
Best Syndication - Best Syndication
all 11 news articles

Loans - Google News

home | site map
© 2006