Getting a business loan can be very beneficial. Whether you plan on using the funds for new equipment, a training course, or marketing, the influx of cash can take everything to a whole new level. That being said, you can’t exactly reap the benefits of getting a business loan unless you first find a lender.

Establish your needs

Picking a lender is like buying a new screwdriver, you have to first establish your needs before making a decision. If your loan is relatively small then finding an individual who can lend you the full amount could be wise, perhaps even a business connection that you’ve made.

Conversely, if your business loan is rather large in size then going to a bank will be your best bet as individual lenders may not have the financial capacity to meet your needs.

Banks vs. individual lenders

For decades people have pondered the question of whether you’re better off getting a loan from a bank or an individual lender. There are a few key differences between the two:

Banks

• Lots of paperwork
• Slow processing times
• High reliance on credit score

Individuals

• Less paperwork
• Faster processing
• Looks at the details of your business rather than your credit score

Upon inspecting the bullet points, you might think that getting a loan from an individual is better in every way, but that’s not necessarily the case.

There are certain downsides that you should consider such as getting loan sharked if you fail to make a payment or being tricked into exuberant interest rates. Furthermore, while banks can deny business loan requests, you could always borrow against your other assets such as a house if you so choose.

The third option

If you want something in between a bank and an individual then you could take a look at Lending Club. If you’re not familiar with the site, it’s essentially a peer-to-peer lending site that allows you to take loans from other members on the platform.

You should note that you need a minimum credit score of 660. That being said, you could borrow as much as $35,000 without dealing with the hassles of individual lenders and bank paperwork.

Conclusion

Getting a loan for your business can be a great move if you play your cards right, but just ensure that you choose a lender that fits your needs because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Loans are of several types. While some investments are taken for personal purposes, others are entirely taken for business requirements. A business purpose loan is a type of loan which is made for meeting all kinds of expenses that arise out of business. TRID doesn’t apply to Business loans and is usually extended to Real estate investors wherein borrowers use residential properties that have not been occupied as yet for collateral. They are eligible for cash on the farms.

There can be many reasons for small businesses for taking loans, and there are different sources from which they make loans. It is a general principle of taking loans through collateral where accounts receivable or inventory can be used. Small businesses cannot afford to borrow money, and moreover, it is riskier. It would be adding to the existing risk if you try to borrow money and lending for a legitimate lender will always ensure your safety for your finances. Check  https://www.thebrooklinegroup.org/contact/ for more details on financing your business. Some of the primary reasons why companies take loans are:

Expansion and new purchases:

Generally, businesses take loans for the development of their operations and to make further purchases. The fact that you are expanding your business is an indication to banks that the company is growing and they would want to extend loans expecting the firm to be a good debtor. There is no possibility of expansion if a company is undergoing losses. The expectancy of good cash flow and profits makes banks approve the loan. It is usually through mortgage and extends 25-30 years. Ideal collateral is a real estate.

Creating new equipment:

While choosing hardware, firms can either buy new ones or take them on lease. It is indeed a good thing to take a loan for purchasing equipment. By writing off a certain amount in the first year, you can become the owner and deduct the remaining amount during the rest of the period. After its complete life, it can be sold for a salvage value. See for yourself to estimate whether it is beneficial to purchase or lease equipment. Cost-benefit analysis is the best way to do it. These are intermediate loans which stretch for 10-15 years.

New Inventory:

Inventory is also an essential part of a business, and sometimes loans have to be taken to acquire this. Some companies run according to seasons. If there is a great festival or holiday season, there will be good sales and the owners want to purchase detailed inventory before the season starts to confront the rising demand. They begin to take loans much before the season and get ready for that time. They are short-term in nature and are generally paid off after the season.

Working capital- the daily need cash:

Business requires money in hand for regular expenses and small payments. Small businesses may not be in a position to meet their expenditures until the company establishes, and their fixed assets begin to show returns. For this, they can take loans from the banks, which can be repaid as soon as the business starts to make profits. Since these loans are considered little riskier by banks, these come with high rates of interest.

For building credit:

Short term loans are the best if you want to build confidence in the long term. This helps in opening broader doors for business financing in the coming years. This way, you can start your big finance dream with short -term loans.  Start-ups usually will take time to qualify for bigger loans since they have a weak credit history. Once they start applying for loans and start paying them off with profits, they can create trust among bankers, thereby building credit for the business for the future.

If you are loyal enough in repaying your loans on time and build a strong credit history, you can also utilise this principle in working out with a particular lender when you want to apply for bigger loans shortly. It is advisable here not to take bigger loans which you can’t afford as you will be spoiling your creditworthiness and score if you fail to pay at least one instalment. 

Recruiting new personnel:

Your small business needs many things. To cut on costs, you might do too many hats. But it may be too burdensome having to lead the departments individually and having helping hands may eventually result in an enormous leap for your business. If you think that recruitment is worth the investment, it is a significant move towards a successful business. So, deciding on what type of team and how much labour to recruit is a skilful decision if tactfully made. You can take short term loans to meet this requirement, and your profits show how great decision you have made.

Deciding on whether the loan taken is worth the business expenses makes a smart decision. If the loan amount is likely to bring you profits, then get, set, go. Risk is anyway bound to be taken.