Small Business Loans

Getting your first small business loan is a major milestone. But so is going through the application process! From making the decision to seek financing to putting together a small business loan application, you’re learning and growing as a small business owner. Applying for a small business loan can also be daunting. It takes wisdom and foresight. If you prepare mentally and practically before applying, the process can be nearly painless. We’ll show you what you need to know so you can get the best small business loan offer with the least stress.

Before You Apply
Before you submerge yourself in the small business loan application process, make sure you understand your options. Are you sure you need financing? If so, is a term loan the best option for your industry and stage of growth? Small business financing is available in many forms, from business credit cards and small business loans, to invoice financing or factoring. Understand the pros and cons of each so you know what to expect and where to find the most appropriate financing for you. Once you’re ready to dive into the world of small business loans, you’ll need to get a firm grasp of two essentials: your credit and your use case. With that knowledge, you’re ready to prepare a successful application for a small business loan.

Analyze Your Credit
When it comes to small business loans, credit is king. It makes sense. Would you lend a friend $100 if their track record showed that they’d probably never pay you back? What about a total stranger? In the same way, lenders of small business loans need to know how much they can trust you with their money. Your credit score is basically numerical shorthand for your financial reputation. Your personal credit score and business credit score strongly affect whether a lender will offer you a small business loan. They also affect how favorable the terms of the loan will be. Personal and business credit scores are two of the three pillars of our own analysis of small business loan applications. So let’s take a look at how to understand and improve these important digits.

Your Business Credit Score
Small business owners are notorious for mixing their personal and business finances, especially at the start of a new venture. The problem with overlapping accounts is that they can cause huge headaches when it’s time to file taxes or apply for a small business loan. Establishing business accounts early also gives you the chance to build a credit history. It also prevents personal issues from affecting your business credit score and vice versa. Separate business and personal accounts as soon as possible to protect yourself and avoid confusion.
As you do business, you are building a business credit report. How does a credit report translate into a score? There are technically different companies that calculate slightly different scores. The Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX score takes nothing but your payment history into account. Experian and Equifax also consider legal filings, public records, and collection agency data. All three scoring systems come up with three digits, but each employs a different scale. To maintain a healthy business credit score in any system, paying your bills on time is key.

Your Personal Credit Score
Even after you’ve established separate financial accounts for your business, your personal credit score still matters to lenders of small business loans. Imagine hiring a professional driving instructor only to discover he’s accumulated a dozen moving violations in his off time. In the same way, your personal creditworthiness matters in business relationships. What determines your personal credit score? As with a business credit score, the most important factor is your history of payments.