Brandon Woodrow 
If your business needs cash to thrive, consider applying for a small business loan. These financing solutions offer you access to funds needed for anything from equipment purchases and commercial real estate investments.
Befor e applying for a loan, be sure you fully understand its process and what minimum requirements lenders have – these may differ between lenders but typically involve things such as your credit score, annual revenue and number of years in business.
Definition
A business loan is a form of financing used by businesses to purchase property and invest in their future, or bridge a short-term cash flow problem, and is sometimes the source of startup or expansion funding. Most business loans require collateral – typically real estate, equipment or cash investments held as security – with lenders having recourse if your payments fall behind schedule; alternatively you could opt for an unsecured business loan using personal assets such as your home as security against debt repayment.
As with most loans, there are various types of business loans to choose from, with the most popular being commercial real estate and mortgage loans, business lines of credit and merchant cash advances being among them. It is essential that you fully understand all types of loans before making your choice; to do this effectively it is wise to shop around and compare features before deciding.
Purpose
A business loan is an attractive financing solution designed for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their businesses. These loans provide access to funds needed for equipment purchase or office space rental; and often come with low interest rates as well. They may require collateral as security against your loan – typically real estate or equipment as security against it; without either, however, your application won’t be approved.
Businesses are enterprises engaged in commercial, industrial or professional activities for profit or non-profit. These enterprises may take the form of for-profit companies making a profit through business operations or non-profit groups with charitable missions or furthering social causes; their sizes range from sole proprietorships to large international corporations and their main aim is producing goods or services at a profit while often operating using legal forms like limited liability companies or partnerships.
Types
Business owners have their choice between term loans, working capital loans and bridging finance when selecting loans for their company.
Before they approve any loan application from businesses, lenders typically look for evidence of a thorough business plan, reliable source of income, and strong credit score. They may also consider how long an operation has been underway as well as revenue statistics.
Business loans are debts repaid with interest over time. They come in two main varieties: secured and unsecured. Secured loans require collateral that a lender can repossess if the borrower defaults.
Unsecured business loans do not put your assets at risk, yet still command higher interest rates. Lenders usually ask applicants to sign a personal guarantee form agreeing to take on liability if their business collapses and accept their debt as personally theirs.
Repayment
Repayment terms of business loans depend on their lender, type and amount – from weeks to decades with fixed, revolving or installment options available.
Appropriate repayment terms are key to a smooth financial journey, so be realistic about your repayment capacity so as not to put your business at risk of default.
One way to shorten the length of a business loan is to pay back part of it early; though this can be tricky if your loan imposes prepayment penalties or has variable fees structures.
Paying off your business loan early could have adverse repercussions for cash flow and taxes, and may also impede future access to liquidity.
