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A Guide To Getting A Business Loan – Forbes Advisor Australia

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Applying for credit of any kind is an important economic move that should not be taken lightly. When applying for a business loan, follow these steps to research all loan options and make sure that the application process can affect your personal financial situation and your business.

1. Evaluate your qualifications

There are many factors that can influence a lender’s decision to provide credit to your business. Therefore, we recommend that you evaluate your eligibility before starting the application process to see if any issues can be resolved in advance. Some of the key considerations that may affect whether you qualify for a business loan include:

Annual sales: Lenders evaluate cash flow to ensure that the business is generating enough income to cover loan repayments, and typically require meeting a minimum annual turnover (this is between the lender and depending on the loan). Financial statements and sales records are used to present this data.

Purpose of loan: Most business loans cover a variety of financing purposes, from paying wages to purchasing business equipment. However, some lenders specialize in specific industries such as agriculture or healthcare, so it’s a good idea to research options specific to your business.

Operation period: Lenders often need to be open for some time before accepting loan applications. This could be as little as six months, or it could span several years.

Business and personal records: This includes everything under the financial sun, from unpaid personal or business debts to legal issues involving you or your business.

2. Keep your credit score in good shape

A person’s credit score can affect the outcome of a business loan application. We can’t cross all overdue mortgage payments or loan applications from your credit score, but you can fix the errors and make sure you’re in the right position to move forward. You can freely access your credit score every three months to see if there are any issues and contact the credit bureaus to have these corrected.

It’s also wise to pay off as much existing debt as possible before applying for another loan. This shows lenders that you are a responsible borrower and can also tip your credit score into the higher bands.

3. Know your financial limits

There is no point in applying for a $500,000 loan if your business is not in a position to cover repayment costs. must.

4. Research and compare business loans

You should evaluate the type of loan (secured or unsecured, fixed or variable) that best suits your business needs and the features, fees, and (approximate) interest that come with it. Once you’ve nailed down your loan type, let’s see how different banks and lenders compare these factors.

5. Arrangement of documents and application

In many cases, the application process can be started online, but it’s not necessarily the daunting task of applying decades ago. However, there are still various documents that lenders must provide from the beginning. Also this:

  • A driver’s license or other form of identification to verify your identity
  • ABN (Australian Business Number) for your business
  • Financial documents such as bank statements, tax returns, business cash flow projections (and sometimes personal financial documents)
  • A business plan for how the funds will be used

6. Wait for response

This may take days or weeks, so please be patient. Applying for a large number of loans is not recommended as all applications will appear on your credit score. Many applications, especially if unsuccessful, can adversely affect your credit rating, which in turn can affect your eligibility for business loans.

If your application is successful, read the paperwork and confirm that you can continue.

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