There is a common misconception that simply having a corporation can absolve you from liability regarding business loans acquired for your business. This could not be less true. In today’s lending environment, most banks and finance companies will require a full personal guarantee before providing you with a business loan or other type of business credit facility. In fact, most SBA loans (as well as conventional business loans) require that the small business owner provide a personal guarantee for any credit undertaken by business that is closely held to the owner.
As your business continues to expand with a profitable operating history, the demand among banks for personal guarantees will lessen. However, this is not always the case. Many established entrepreneurs that have sought business loans have also come across the issue of having to put up personal assets (primarily residences) in order to secure business loans and business lines of credit for their companies. This trend is expected to continue for sometime as banks and finance companies have tightened lending standards in the wake of substantial losses incurred due to the poor housing market over the past three years.
With this in mind, it is important to select a corporate entity that will assist you in developing the business credit that you will need in the future for securing a business loan solely in the name of your business. There are many different forms of business entities to chose from including corporations (both C and S corporations), limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships.
Prior to incorporating your business, you should speak to a duly licensed attorney and a certified public accountant to determine which corporate structure works best with your personal financial situation. When looking for business loan, it is important to note that the corporate structure you chose will most likely flow onto your personal income statement in regards to tax filing matters. As such, proper advice should always be sought when making this very important decision.
Archive for the ‘Business’ Category
Incorporation and Business Loans
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010Using the SBA 7a Loan for a Business Acquisition
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010One of easier ways of becoming an entrepreneur is to acquire a business that has already been established by someone else. The risks related to acquiring a business are significantly lower than starting a business from scratch. Established businesses already have customers, an operating history, and hopefully profits as well. Additionally, obtaining a business loan for the acquisition of a business (while more paperwork) is usually easier than obtaining financing for a startup. This primarily due to the fact, again, that the risks are lower.
The 7a SBA loan can be used for business acquisition purposes. As we have discussed before, the flexibility of this loan can allow you to finance varying parts of the acquisition differently. Prior to applying for a SBA guarantee, you should see if the business for sale has been preapproved for a SBA loan. If a business broker is involved then the broker may have acquired pre-approval from the SBA so that the transaction can happen more quickly. Additionally, a business broker will have generally assembled much of the paperwork required by the bank and the SBA in order to render both a lending and a guarantee decision.
From time to time, business owners that are selling their businesses will already have a business plan in place showcasing the necessary components of the business and the owner’s anticipation of how the business will grow over the next three to five years. This business plan is generally modified by the incoming owner based on the ideas that the new owner will implement once the business has been acquired.
Whenever you intend to acquire a business, it is imperative that you complete your due diligence. Prior to applying for a 7a SBA loan, your accountant should thoroughly review the profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheet of the prospective business to ensure that they are factually correct and match the business’ tax returns.
The Deal with Business Loans from the Bank
Thursday, August 12th, 2010There’s nothing more exciting and nerve wracking than starting your own small business. But like most things, getting started will not be simple. Definitely, money will be a big factor. If your small business is starting from scratch, meaning, you’re setting up an office or store, buying merchandise, hiring people, advertising, and marketing, then you’re going to need a relatively good sum of money to do it all. Some people turn to small business loans from the bank, others borrow it from friends, while others look for other lending institutions.
A business loan from the bank involves a lot of things. A lot of preparation goes into a small business loan request from the bank, and it often requires a plenty of background checks on your personal financial history. The bank, like any other lending institution, has to factor-in you’re the risks involved before approving a small business loan. In order for them to determine interest rates and period of payments for your business loan, they will have to take a look at several factors:
(1) How much is your annual income? This is a staple question for business loan requests.
(2) What are your revenue-making strategies for your business? Most banks don’t care what your business is, as long as you give them a clear picture of how you’ll be making profits to pay them back.
(3) How’s your credit history? This is a crucial deal for small business loan, or any type of loan. Your credit history your track record of how you’ve repaid loans, credit card bills, and other debts in the past, will be used as a guide for giving you that business loan. If you have a bad history with credit card services, then the chances of getting approved will be bleak.
If you think the answers to these questions look bad for your, then maybe a small business loan from a bank is not for you. Maybe the alternative would suit you better.
Cash Advance- money lent: a loan given in cash, especially by an employer or credit card company, in anticipation of the borrower’s being able to repay it.
A business cash advance is a easier way to get a small business loan. The premise behind this loan is similar to that of an open-end credit loan. Open-end credit loans are loans for variable amounts of money up to a set limit. Unlike closed-end loans, open-end credit does not require a borrower to specify the purpose of the loan and the lender cannot foreclose on the loan. So if you’re business makes use of credit card services, then you’ll be very much qualified. A business loan through cash advance doesn’t require collateral but have fixed interest rates and will charge fees and penalties for certain situations like late payment or if you don’t manage to pay in full (if agreed upon).
The minimum amount for most lenders is $2,500. The maximum can go as high as you can negotiate it to be. In order to get this alternative business loan, you have to have been employed or in business for at least a year; you are of legal age; and you or your business makes use of credit card services. This special business loan is available online, and transactions can be done online as well. The waiting period for a business cash advance can take from 24 to 72 hours. The money will automatically be transferred to your account upon approval of the cash advance.
Having bad credit history or financial track record shouldn’t keep you from that small business loan. All you have to do is look at the alternative.