A business loan provides financial aid to business of all sizes (i.e. small businesses,
medium-sized businesses or start-up businesses). It is ideal for business owners who need funding to enhance or expand their business. When you need a loan for your business, you must adopt a strategic approach. Cautious planning is necessary for ensuring success in obtaining business loans.
Business Plan
When you are considering applying for a business loan, it is important for you to take enough time to create a convincing and detailed business plan. Your business plan should include information, which will assist your finance broker as well as the lender/credit provider in providing you with the right type of finance and advice. Here is a list of information you should include in your business plan:
>> Your business structure
>> The purpose and goals of your business
>> Your past and future plans for your business
>> The profit and loss projections and cash flow forecasts of your business
>> Your marketing strategy (i.e. the products or services your business provides)
It is also important to state in your business plan the specific purpose for which you want to use a business loan.
Decisions to Make
Once you have assessed your needs for a business loan, you should investigate which finance products suit your needs for a business loan as each loan has varying features for you to choose. To help with this process, here is a list of things to consider and which you can discuss with your finance broker:
>> The loan amount required
>> The loan term (i.e. the period in which the loan will need to be repaid)
>> Interest rate type and repayments (i.e. fixed or variable)
>> Loan fees, and
>> Loan security (i.e. the type of security offered by you)
Finance Products
There is a variety of business loans available to choose from. Here is a brief summary of common business loan products specifically designed by lenders/credit providers for business owners, which can assist your individual situation as a business owner:
Commercial Bill Facility
A commercial bill (also called a bank bill or bill of exchange) is a flexible credit facility that can give your business a short-term or long-term injection of cash. The finance provided by the commercial bill can help your business in the event that you may need to solve an unexpected or urgent problem, and you do not have the required cash flow. You agree to pay back the face value of the commercial bill plus interest to the lender/credit provider on a specific maturity date.
Overdraft Facility
The purpose of establishing an overdraft facility is to provide working capital for your business in the short-term, before receiving income. An overdraft facility should not be used for capital purchase or long-term financing needs. The overdraft is a normal trading account facility for your business, whereby the lender/credit provider permits you to use or withdraw more than you have in the trading account. But, only up to an agreed amount and any negative balances typically need to be repaid within a month.
