Start-ups and companies in early growth stages often need an infusion of cash to keep their businesses afloat. It’s also true that more established firms can benefit from a short-term loan in order to purchase upgraded equipment, embark upon a significant operational redesign or a myriad of other needs.
But the process of securing such a loan isn’t as simple as calling a lender and getting money sent over ASAP. Although plenty of lending resources are available, the most reliable ones involve a sometimes demanding process in order to get the cash they offer.
In the end, the more prepared you are to fulfil a lender’s requirements, the better your chances of getting that cash infusion when you need it most.
Here’s a quick guide to getting your ducks in a row prior to applying for a small business loan:
Put your financial statements in order. A lender naturally wants to see documentation regarding the financial health of your organisation. A good starting point for securing a loan is compiling all relevant (and current) statements together, including cash flow statements, balance sheets, and income and loss statements. Lenders want to review and assess the full spectrum of your company’s financial health, from accounts payable and accounts receivable to gross margin and EBITDA.
Know why you want the loan. Seeking funds just for the sake of having more cash on hand isn’t typically a persuasive reason for lenders. As loan expert Robert Harrow notes, “the most common pitfall for why businesses get denied is that they don’t have a good idea of what the funds will be used for … Lenders want to see that you have a specific plan in place.”
Make sure your credit profile is accurate and complete. Some lenders will entertain funding requests from businesses with an imperfect credit profile, but that’s not a reliable path to follow. In any case, a business should know its credit status as it embarks on a search for a loan.
Most likely, your business already has a credit profile with one or more of the biggest credit reporting bureaus (Dunn & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax). It’s up to you to make sure “they have the right information regarding your business, or potential lenders could be making decisions about you based on an incomplete or inaccurate story.”
Review your company’s online reputation. Lenders will evaluate a broad range of information regarding your business prior to making the decision to loan. Businesses are well advised to polish up their websites, ensuring these sites look ultra-professional and portray your business in the most favourable light possible. Take a close look at your company’s standing on social media sites, particularly LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. (Don’t forget to check out the most up-to-date customer reviews, where appropriate, on Yelp and elsewhere.) Remember, lenders will be looking at all of these sites, too.
Research lenders to find the most appropriate one for your business. Different lending institutions offer different types of loans, such as a small business line of credit, working capital loans, equipment loans, and small business credit cards. Check out what large commercial banks, local community banks and direct on-line lenders can provide before filing your application for a loan.
Many businesses opt for a micro-loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration or other lenders. Some small businesses seek capital to promote growth or fund working capital, but the problem is “not that they want too much, but rather too little” which “makes it difficult to go into the local bank and get a loan.” With the right micro-loan, “entrepreneurs [can] identify opportunities where a relatively small amount of capital can make a significant difference in their businesses.”
Funds are out there to help businesses grow. With the right prep work and attention to detail, your business stands a good chance of getting that loan when you need it most.