Hard Money Loans

The recent credit crunch has caused banks and other traditional lenders to tighten their underwriting standards. Financing for start-up and small businesses has become more difficult to obtain. Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs have to be a little creative in seeking financing. If you are a business seeking financing here are few sources that may aid you in your search.

Angel Investor

Angel investors look to invest in businesses that return a higher profit than a traditional investment. Many angel investors are successful entrepreneurs who want to help other entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. Angel investors look for businesses which can successfully compete in an industry. Angel investors usually come at the stage of a business where some funding has been obtained but the business needs a significant amount more to get to the next level. Financing from an angel investor is usually expensive with costs ranging from 10 to 50 percent of a company’s equity.

SBA

The SBA assists in obtaining a loan by guaranteeing the loan you get from a bank. Many banks have SBA loan centers and the process may even be streamlined where you do not have to wait long for an answer. The SBA is not a direct lender. Banks are willing to fund the business because the SBA backs the loan in case of default. The SBA guarantees up to 85% of a loan, depending on the size, type and maturity of the loan. There are several different types of SBA loan programs available.

Community Express Loans

Community Express is administered through the SBA loan program and is available at various selected lenders. This loan program is for pre-designated geographic areas serving mostly low and moderate income individuals and start-up small businesses. The program also includes technical and management assistance. This assistance is designed to help increase the chances of success for the small business.

Micro Business Loans

This loan program provides small loans to start-up, home-based and micro-businesses. Entrepreneurs with less than perfect credit needing to start or expand a business may benefit from a micro loan program. The loan does not come directly from the SBA. The SBA provides low-cost loans and grants to intermediaries such as community economic development centers which redistribute the funds to qualified small businesses in the form of micro business loans. You can borrow as little as $1,000 up to $35,000 and loans must be repaid within six years.

Patriot Express Business Loan

The SBA has launched a new loan program for military service members, veterans and their spouses called the Patriot Express Loan Initiative. The Patriot Express Loan builds on the more than $1 billion in loans the SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses. The loan can be used to establish or expand a small business and the maximum loan amount is $500,000.

Social Lending

Peer to peer lending is not only for personal loans but can also be used for business loans. This type of lending matches borrowers directly with lenders, circumventing the banks. It is a great alternative to traditional banks’ stringent business loan requirements. With peer to peer lending, a typical loan could be funded by as many as 100 people, thereby increasing the chances your loan will get funded. www.Prosper.com and www.globefunder.com are peer to peer lending sites which also offer business loans.

Friends and Family

Not surprisingly, more than 50% of all start-up costs for new entrepreneurs come from friends and family. America thrives on entrepreneurship and friends and family are a big source for start-up costs. If your credit is weak you may have little alternative but to seek a loan from a friend or family member. This form of lending has so evolved that there is now a website which will help you facilitate a loan between friends and family. www.virginmoneyus.com will provide formal loan documents between friends and family.

More resources can be found at: Business Loan Sources

To successfully run a business venture or to establish a new business capital becomes a basic necessity. The secured business loans extend the borrowers with an opportunity to attain funds to fulfill all their needs by pledging their valued assets as security.

The secured business loans require the borrowers to pledge their valued assets as collateral for the approval of the loan amount. Both the budding companies and the established companies take up these loans to grab cash for assisting their business. Finance is the utmost priority of any business to survive and flourish. An effective and efficient business management and planning can prove to be real fruitful and rewarding.

Secured business loans are extended to people from various sectors. The cost of the operations of the day to day activities of a business can be easily acquired through these loans. The borrowers are provided with an opportunity to apply for a loan amount ranging from £ 50,000 to £ 1,000,000 for a repayment term of 5 to 25 years.

The borrowers may use this loan amount to purchase plant and machinery, takeover an organization, the registration process, buy buildings and offices, raise money to pay off debts, updating technology, recruiting more people, expand your business or to incur other business expenses.

There lies a sack of benefits for the borrowers willing to apply for these loans. The secured business loans are flexible which makes it quite easy and convenient for the borrowers to repay. A borrower also has a choice to opt for a loan either with fixed interest rate or with variable interest rate. These loans include lower interest rate and flexible repayment period.

Hence, with a secured business loan securing your needs by placing a security becomes quite easy and convenient. Now any borrower can easily fetch funds to heel his or her impaired business.

To successfully run a business venture or to establish a new business capital becomes a basic necessity. The secured business loans extend the borrowers with an opportunity to attain funds to fulfill all their needs by pledging their valued assets as security.

The secured business loans require the borrowers to pledge their valued assets as collateral for the approval of the loan amount. Both the budding companies and the established companies take up these loans to grab cash for assisting their business. Finance is the utmost priority of any business to survive and flourish. An effective and efficient business management and planning can prove to be real fruitful and rewarding.

Secured business loans are extended to people from various sectors. The cost of the operations of the day to day activities of a business can be easily acquired through these loans. The borrowers are provided with an opportunity to apply for a loan amount ranging from £ 50,000 to £ 1,000,000 for a repayment term of 5 to 25 years.

The borrowers may use this loan amount to purchase plant and machinery, takeover an organization, the registration process, buy buildings and offices, raise money to pay off debts, updating technology, recruiting more people, expand your business or to incur other business expenses.

There lies a sack of benefits for the borrowers willing to apply for these loans. The secured business loans are flexible which makes it quite easy and convenient for the borrowers to repay. A borrower also has a choice to opt for a loan either with fixed interest rate or with variable interest rate. These loans include lower interest rate and flexible repayment period.

Hence, with a secured business loan securing your needs by placing a security becomes quite easy and convenient. Now any borrower can easily fetch funds to heel his or her impaired business.

Business loans form a significant part of lending industry. With so many people applying for business loans, you must be wondering how many of them actually get them. The increase in amount of business loan every year shows the swelling in approval rate of business loans. So, what are your chances of getting business loans? I say, attach a security to business loans and your chances are bright. Secured business loans are loans for specific purpose namely business. There is no better terminology for business loans with opportunity.

Before you apply for secured business loans check out you borrowing capacity. Every business is different which means there will be no universal method to know the cost and therefore budgeting is important. This enables you to deduce whether you can afford secured business loan or not.

Tuck in those documents! Generally a secured business loan borrower would require few of the documents for approval. First and foremost is the business profile – discussing the nature of business, annual sales, length and time of business ownership. In case of new business you would require to project the loan plan and how the business would be successful enough to pay back the loan. For secured business loans the loan application will also include a loan request. This will include the type of secured business loan required, the amount and the purpose (how the funds will be used).

Since business loan is secured details about collateral will be integral. The collateral and its details, equity available, equity in the business, borrowed funds and existing cash should be included in details of collateral. Along with collateral you would be required to provide financial statements for yourself and your business. Be ready with personal and business financial statement for three years and current financials statements. With secured business loans you will be asked for owners, partners, officers, stockholders with more than 20% of etc.

A lender looking at your Secured business loans application will search for repayment. A borrower can provide a brief repayment statement which includes sources, cash inflow and other information to support it. With secured business loan you are providing collateral which will mean an additional form of security for the lender. This the lender will certainly like! He will have additional repayment to fall back on when you don’t have required funds to payback the loan. Both personal and business assets can act as collateral for secured business loans. If the business loan borrower does not have collateral he should have co-signer who should have collateral to pledge. In a secured business loans application, collateral will be the second most identifiable source of loan repayment after business cash inflow.

A lender will inquire whether your personal or business credit is good or not. Get your latest credit report and make sure it carries accurate information. As you have applied for secured option it means that you would have better choices. However, credit score will modify the interest rates you get for secured business loans. With bad credit score you will be paying higher interest rates as compared to ones with perfect credit.

While preparing to get money it is important to see your financing options. There is both a financial and emotional component while borrowing secured business loans; your property is at stake. Make sure you are ready for it. Then do some market research. Take it as a test where you have to get the best grade. You would probably not start a business without researching the market; make sure you follow this rule while settling on secured business loan. Yet do remember that time is money. And don’t waste too much time in settling on the option.

Every big business starts out small. Secured business loans are in fact the first thing that comes to the mind and provide fundamental opportunity when one is raising money for business and can provide to those who are to those who are looking for funds for business purposes. Secured business loans are what you need when you are looking for business loans with security.

Author: Amanda Thompson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
PCB Prototype & Manufacturing

Among these loans, some loans satisfy your personal financial needs and some help you to come out of your business financial problems. The loans, that offer you financial help to start a new business or to expand your business are known as loans. These loans can be taken not only to start or expand the business but also to purchase furniture or machinery to improve your business. Compared to the other financial sources that provide money for business purposes, taking a business loan is the best and quick way to run your business without any hassles.

As most of the people are showing interest to take these loans, several companies and banks entered in the loan market of UK to provide loans for all segments of the business people. To help all types of businessmen, the lending companies are offering two types of business loans such as secured and unsecured. Secured loans can be availed by the people, who are ready to submit their own property as a security against loan. On the other hand, unsecured loans for business can be taken by anyone, without providing any such type of their properties as security for taking loan. These loans can be availed by even the bad credit business people.

To survive in the competitive and challenging UK’s loan market, most of the banks and money lending companies have stared offering cheap business loans. So, the persons, who want to take a loan for their business are no need to bother about high amount of interest rates. To avail a business loan, you have to mention the purpose of taking loan,while filling the application and should submit some of the required documents. Depending on your needs and repayment capacity, the lenders will sanction you the loan amount.

If anyone is looking to get a loan for his business needs in a fastest way, he can go for the online business loans. With the advent of the Internet, all most all the banks and money lending institutions have started providing loans via online. To avail these loans, no need to face any risk. Just by filling the application form of a particular lender online, you can get loan with in short time. Moreover, you can view the up-to-date information regarding your loan over the Internet, without visiting your lender several times. If you are the eligible person to take loan, they will sanction you loan.

Online business loans offer flexible repayment modes and are available at low interest rates. Without taking the assistance of loan executives, you can understand the terms and conditions of these loans. They save your valuable time.

Hence, availing business loans is now become easy and quick. But, the people, who want to take these loans should study the condition of the present day loan market of UK, before going to take a loan. Comparing the interest rates and repayment modes is also help you to take loan from a good lender.

If your business still does not have a merchant account that allows you to offer full credit card services, you are turning your back on profits. Just take a look at all of your competitors. All of those that pose serious competition accept credit card payments. Those that do not have credit card services do not have great sales figures to show, either. Even statistics point to the fact that companies that have credit card services earn much more than companies that do not have credit card services. The average credit card sale is $40 while the average cash sale is only $9. That means you are losing potentially $31 per sale.

You may also be spending more by accepting only cash and check payments in your business. The processing of cash and checks has been found to be more costly, requiring more manpower in handling. Studies have shown that the average processing cost of credit card payments is only 2.7% of a transaction while the average processing cost of checks is 4% of a transaction and the average processing cost of cash is 4.8% of a transaction. Once again, you are leaking profits by refusing to accept credit card payments.

So how do you accept credit card payments in your business? This is where credit card services come in. The old route is to apply for a merchant account in a bank. You will then have to lease the software and equipment necessary to actually process payments and send the data to your account. If you want to accept credit card payments online, you need to apply to a payment gateway that allows real time credit card authorization for online transactions. You should ensure that your payment gateway is compatible with the bank or financial institution where you have your merchant account, and with the software and equipment you have leased.

In choosing the bank or financial institution for your merchant account, consider their expertise in combating fraud and reducing chargebacks. Also make sure that they are experienced in handling merchant accounts with online transactions.

If you are a small business owner, stick to a bank or financial institution that caters to small businesses rather than large companies. You may be able to get better rates and packages designed for your specific niche.

There are options for credit card services that offer everything you need in one easy package. You will not have to deal with various entities or go through various procedures. Often, these options also have added benefits, among them, quick reporting on your credit card sales figures. They may also offer interest on your credit card sales income, even up to money market rates.

One very important feature of your credit card services that you may not know of is that it can automatically qualify you to avail of small business loans. Once you have established a record of sales through credit, most credit card services will allow you to make cash advances that are practically like getting previously approved small business loans without having to put up any required collateral. The credit card services consider your future income through credit card sales as your collateral. This can go a long way in further growing your business.

Payment will not be a problem, either. For as long as you have sales through credit payments, you automatically get to pay your small business loans. It does not matter how much your sales are. Your payments are automatically deducted as a percentage of your sales. You are always covered.

Now do you still need further convincing on the benefits of credit card services for your business?

LookingForBusinessLoan.com has been developed with the concept of providing entrepreneurs of all levels with insights into the lending industry. This includes business people, who for one reason or another, do not have the best credit. However, while credit is extremely important in the world of lending – it is not the be all and end all of the lending industry. It is certainly true that having good credit, if not great credit, is an extremely important part of the debt capital raising process. Banks, finance companies, and other lenders are now looking for extremely good credit scores as they make their lending decisions. However, if you have had past credit issues – this should not be a roadblock to your success. As discussed in our previous articles regarding alternative methods of financing and credit scores and business loans, there are a number of options still available to you if you are looking for business loan and other types of business credit facilities.

If you do have bad credit and are looking for a business loan then the first step is to speak to a credit counselor or your CPA. These individuals (or firms) can assist you greatly in removing issues that are hindering the advancement of your credit score. As lending has become a much more scientific process, it is imperative that your issues pertaining to previous lending issues are resolved prior to attempting to obtain credit.

These firms can advise you how to properly clean up your credit report prior to approaching a financial institution or bank. Additionally, there are many other options available to you in your search for capital. As we have discussed previously, angel investors, private investors, and venture capital firms are an excellent source of capital if you cannot raise capital through traditional lending methodologies.

As has been one of the topics discussed throughout these articles, credit scores are extremely important when applying for business loans. With lending standards tightening among all banks and financial institutions, it is imperative that you have a credit score that implies that you are a worthy credit risk. A credit score is calculated based on a number of factors including your past payment history, your current debts, how long you have had credit, and whether or not you have any delinquent accounts. Today, most lenders want to see a credit score above 680 if they are going to grant you a business loan.

When looking for business loan, you should pull all three of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian). Each bureau maintains its own records so it is important to ensure that the information on each of your reports is correct. Most banks now look at all three different reports to make sure that there are no discrepancies.

If your current credit is not in a good state then you may want to talk to your accountant or a properly licensed credit counselor before applying for a business loan. They will be able to assist you in making appropriate decisions regarding how you can improve your credit score so that when you do apply for a business loan – you will have no issues pertaining to your credit.

As we have discussed earlier, if you have an outstanding business project that needs financing but you do not have an appropriate credit score then you may want to seek alternative methods of finance. This can include bootstrapping your business or seeking equity investments from private investors. You may also want to go to familiar sources such as family and friends as potential lenders/investors in your business venture.

When looking for a business loan, most financial institutions will require that you have a properly prepared business plan that showcases your business, your usage of business loan funds, the industry in which you are operating within, how you intend or how you will continue to market your business, and the expected financial results of the business over the next three to five years. It is always preferable to have a five year financial projection in your business plan when you are applying for a business loan. As we have discussed through our other articles, banks and finance companies have increased their lending standards significantly, and by providing a full five year financial statement – you will show them a level of seriousness and professionalism that is not often provided by other business people.

As an example format, your business plan for a business loan should be formatted in this manner (this is not a steadfast rule):

Executive Summary
Usage of Debt Funds
Products/Services Offered
Corporate Organization and Management Biographies
Economic, Industry, Customer, and Competitive Analysis
Marketing Plan
Personnel Budgets and Head Count
Financial Plan

In regards to your financial plan, you should have a standard profit and loss statement, common size income statement, cash flow analysis, balance sheet, breakeven analysis, and business ratios page. The sample business plan available on LookingForBusinessLoan.com provides you with all of the tools that you need to draft an appropriate business plan.

As we have stated before, it is very important that your business plan or prepared financial statements are reviewed by a certified public account prior to submitting a business loan application. This individual can ensure that there are no factual or material errors on any of the documents that you have produced or have had a third party produce on your behalf.

Have you been planning to start a new business but lack of sufficient funds has been stopping you? You need not worry; Business Loans are here to help you realize your dreams.

Business Loans are the loans granted for the use of a business. Business Loan can be used to start a new business, expand the existing business, to buy a new machine or equipment or for any other business related activity.

Business Loans can be a secured or an unsecured one. Secured Business Loan is a loan that is provided in exchange of property, machines or plants that serves as collateral such as houses, cars, savings accounts or bonds. Secured Business Loan also provides finance for working capital, which can be used to purchase raw material, paying the labour charges etc. Unsecured Business Loan is granted without keeping a property as a security with the lender.

Business loans can be taken for short, intermediate or for a long term, it depends on you which one do you want to take and for what purpose. Short-term loans are given to businesses that need cash to start operating, this loan is granted for one or less than one year. Intermediate term loan helps businesses to buy equipments and cover initial large expenses, this is granted for a period of one to three years. Long-term loans are used to assist start-up businesses with initial costs and are granted for a period of three to seven years.

Now you would say why only, Business Loan, when other loans are available in the market. Business Loans are tailored specially for people who want funds for their business. Business Loan provides the flexibility to preserve your cash and working capital. Business Loan also helps in managing cash effectively by offering flexible repayment options.
Capital forms an integral part of every business. If you are planning to apply for the Business Loan you need to look into three key issues: -

o Cost – You need to check the cost and risk involved in taking a loan.

o Loan Size – You need to decide the amount of loan you want that would satisfy your need.

o Payback Program – It is very important to decide at the time of taking a loan that how will you repay the loan amount and the monthly installments, otherwise it may create problems for you in future.

You can get a Business Loan from a bank or a financial institution. But shop around and search for as many lenders as you can, you can also look for online lenders. Collect quotes from various lenders and make a comparison among them to get the best deal.

When applying for a loan you need to keep in mind that you must make a loan proposal. Lenders will grant you the loan only if they find your proposal worth because no lender will be interested in taking risk. While writing a loan proposal you should always give industry-specific details so that the lender is able to know in-depth about what business do you want to start or how your present business is run and what market trends affect it.

You should also give details about the existing or proposed business, collateral which you want to keep as a security with the lender, loan repayment plans, personal financial statement and projection of your future operations. The possibility of getting a loan will be higher if you have a good loan proposal and are able to convince the lender about your future business plans.

You can get a secured business Loan if you have CCJs, arrears or bankruptcy. Your bad credit history cannot stop you from getting the cash you needed to invest in your business or to start up your own business.
Business Loan provides funds to businessmen who want to expand their business or people who want to start a business of their own. Success has no limits. Business loan provides you with the funds now it depends on you how use this money to climb the ladder of success.

Author: Pamella Scott
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
PCB Prototype & Manufacturing

As has been one of the common themes through our article discussions, banks and finance companies love to provide business loans that are secured by tangible goods such as equipment and real estate. This is, again, because in the event of a credit default they will be able to recoup a majority of their principal by taking possession of the secured property with the intent to resell it. In regards to equipment business loans, there are a number of different avenues that you can take in order to acquire the equipment that you need for your business. In many instances, the equipment seller or manufacturer will have a number of lenders that they can refer you to when you are looking for business loan specifically for equipment purchases. Major corporations and manufacturers often have their own in house financing programs that you can apply for when purchasing large scale equipment. This is especially true for machinery that costs in excess of $25,000.

Equipment loans, as compared to traditional loans, are much easier to obtain as there is fully security for the lending party for the equipment they are providing to you. As an alternative to equipment loans – there is the equipment lease. Much like a business loan, you will be required to submit a formal application and you may be required to present a business plan. However, full title for the equipment (should you decide to lease it) remains with the finance company or manufacturer that is providing you with the equipment. Additionally, the full cost of the lease is generally deductible for tax and accounting purposes. This is because you are not purchasing the equipment. In a lease situation, you are paying for the depreciation of the equipment plus an interest rate tied to the depreciation of the equipment.