Business loans are powerful tools for entrepreneurs looking to expand their companies and further economic progress. But it is crucial that entrepreneurs understand how loans work so as to avoid paying unfavorable terms.

To be eligible for a business loan, a company must meet certain requirements, such as positive cash flow and the capacity to repay debts.

Definition

Business loans provide cash that companies need to cover expenses they cannot cover through cash flow alone. Lenders provide funds in exchange for fees and interests, with companies being legally obliged to repay whatever amount is borrowed.

As with any loan, working capital loans require collateral in the form of real estate or equipment as security against their loan; others do not require such security. No matter which kind of business loan you get, lenders will expect you to demonstrate a strong credit history and financial projections for the company that require borrowing money from them.

Asset-based financing – which utilizes invoices, inventory or other assets as collateral for short-term business loans – provides another viable option for small businesses without strong enough credit ratings or financial histories to qualify for traditional bank loans.

Purpose

Business loans provide capital to both new and established businesses to cover expenses, purchase equipment, or expand operations. Unfortunately, these loans often come at a high cost and may even require personal guarantees that put an owner’s personal assets at risk.

Gain more understanding about the differences between a business line of credit, term loan and other loans to better comprehend their functionality and secure appropriate funding for your company. When the time comes to apply for one of these financial tools, learn what documents support your request as well as the criteria lenders use when selecting potential borrowers. You’ll also gain insights into other financing solutions available such as invoice financing or commercial real estate loans to meet company goals.

Types

There are various forms of business loans, including term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing and invoice factoring as well as merchant cash advances. A business line of credit may provide quick funding with lower funding limits than traditional loans for short-term expenses like payroll.

Some types of business loans require borrowers to pledge an asset as collateral in the event they default on the loan. Others, known as unsecured business loans, require higher credit scores compared to personal loans for qualification – typically reserved for successful entrepreneurs with excellent business records; many online lending platforms and peer-to-peer lending sites accept applicants with credit scores in the mid to high 600s as applicants.

Requirements

Although business loan requirements differ depending on your lender and loan type, there are some general qualifications. Most often lenders will want evidence of your business’s creditworthiness and history such as a business plan, financial statements or debt-service coverage ratio to satisfy them before providing you with financing.

Many lenders also require personal credit checks in order to determine that you can make the repayment of the loan should your business not. Furthermore, lenders may ask for personal guarantees in some instances, placing your personal assets at risk in case it doesn’t repay its loans. Therefore, when looking for financing alternatives that may be less stringent or even nonexistent depending on your specific needs they could be more appropriate solutions for you and your company.

Fees

No matter which business loan option you select, it is crucial that you understand all associated fees. Some lenders include fees in monthly payments that could increase the cost of your financing significantly.

Some lenders charge application fees when processing an application; these are often non-refundable fees and vary based on which lender is being used; it could range anywhere from a flat amount or percentage of loan principal.

Origination fees are charged by lenders to cover various costs related to processing and underwriting the loan, such as underwriting, packaging and funding costs. Other lender fees might include service fees, annual maintenance fees (for lines of credit) or prepayment penalties – sometimes these can be hidden by fine print in confusing legalese.