Commercial finance is the term used to define a huge range of financial products available to businesses. It’s used for a variety of different reasons, with short-term and long-term deals available. Offered by an external lender, commercial finance can give businesses that extra bit of cash injection to help with growth, or if cash flow […]
Working with Lenders
Would You Sign a Personal Guarantee if You Have Investors?
It’s a fact of life that a banker, lender or lessor will ask for a personal guarantee from the founder or entrepreneur most every time. But what if you’ve diluted your interest from 100% to something less than 50%? Should your investors expect you to carry 100% of the risk? The short answer is “yes.” […]
Top 4 SBA Myths Dispelled
The Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program is amazing. It’s a big driver of the economy. Every year, the SBA, a government agency, guarantees thousands and thousands of loans to small business across the United States, totaling several billion dollars (not a typo, that’s billion with a “b”!). There are a bunch of unique features […]
3 Alternative Financing Solutions for Small Businesses
Financial management is key for all businesses, especially SMEs. With fewer employees than a large company, smaller business owners often feel more pressure to keep their staff happy. Unlike a big enterprise, there aren’t as many skilled workers to rely on. Should one leave, it could massively impact the running of the company. One way […]
7 Must-Have Requirements Before Applying for a Business Loan
You might have taken a personal loan in the past, and quite possible the experience was pleasant. However, business loan requirements are different. You need to understand that the risk for a lender is significantly higher in this case, because of the eligibility criteria. The process for applying to a business loan is strict, and […]
6 Hottest Alternative Lending Programs for Small Businesses
Small business has changed a lot in the past few decades, a lot of it good but some not. However, one of the most significant positive changes to the small business landscape over the past decade has been the explosion of alternative funding options available to new and seasoned business owners. What was once a […]
5 Tips to Improve Your Business Credit Score
Most people have a decent understanding of their personal credit score, but not so many are as familiar with their business credit scores. Your business credit score is crucial in determining whether or not your enterprise is fit to borrow, how much interest you’ll have to pay on credit, and in some cases, whether or […]
Prepayment Penalties: When the Early Bird Doesn’t Get the Worm
It’s every small business owner’s dream: you took out a business loan to start or expand your small business, and it really paid off. Business is booming, cash is flowing, and you suddenly find yourself in the coveted position of being able to pay off your loan far before you anticipated. While you’ve always wanted […]
Here’s a Rule for Companies with Outstanding Loans
Here is one that is so important to the continued health of a growing company that it cannot be overstated. It’s a bit complex for novices. But hang in there as I explain a bit about accounting classification of assets and liabilities. Differences between types of assets and liabilities First, let’s be sure we know […]
What is a Loan Broker and When Should You Use One?
As a small business owner, you know what it’s like to feel like you need to be an expert on every aspect of running your business — even though that’s next to impossible. Applying and getting approved for a small business loan, for example, is likely completely new territory. How can you be sure you’re getting the […]
