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Trends in Financing Your Business In 2010
Business trends change over the years and for people who run businesses, being aware of those changes is an important factor to survive the market. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at the developments in financing a business for the year 2010.
Angel Investment
Angel investors can be individuals or groups in search for promising business ventures. Angel Investors started to become a favorite financing option in the late 90s and since that time, has went on to be one of the most highly regarded methods of business financing, especially with small enterprises.
Equipment lease financing
Equipment leasing has become the most recommended methods for business financing not just for small enterprises but for large and established companies as well. Through equipment leasing, a small working capital doesn’t need to be a major barrier in delivering those brilliant business ideas to reality. Business equipment lease is paid in installment so the business owner gets the chance to acquire all equipment needed for the operations without a great deal of upfront cost.
Supplier Credit
A number of wholesale vendors provide credit lines to their small business customers particularly if they can present an outstanding credit history. Be sure to check out prospective vendors who can provide you with your needed supplies and if you can be extended a credit line.
SBA Loan Programs
For business owners who are having trouble acquiring a business loan from banks or commercial lending companies, they can get support from the Small Business Administration (SBA). By being guaranteed by the SBA, it will be easier to get approved for small business financing. Nevertheless, remember that the SBA has its own requirements in approving small business loan applications. Check from the SBAs website for the prerequisites in applying for a small business loan.
Business Credit Cards
At present, a growing number of business owners are realizing the benefits of using small business credit cards. As opposed to using their personal credit cards for business expenses, entrepreneurs are making use of business credit cards to separate their personal and business finances. Business credit cards are also perfect tools in building business credit history. Over time, maintaining an impressive business credit rating will be a major advantage in the future development of a business and one of the simplest strategies to build credit is by using a credit card for business.
Bank Business Loans
Despite the emergence of fast loans, a lot of small business enterprisers still favor the traditional approach to business financing. The reason for this is that banking institutions generally provide a bigger amount of funding and when matched up against other types of loans, a bank loan is still more reliable. For business owners who are willing to use their homes as collateral, a secured small business loan gives them the opportunity to obtain the financial assistance they need for starting a business. Secured business loans are known to have lower interest rates and longer repayment period compared to unsecured business loans.
Understanding 504 SBA Loans
When a business is looking for a long-term, fixed rate loan for major asset purchases, a good financing vehicle for that is the SBA 504 loan program. Proceeds from these loans must be used to purchase fixed assets such as land and improvements to buildings, streets, utilities, parking lots and landscaping. The loan can also be used to construct a new building and purchase machinery and equipment. If new equipment is bought, it has to have a useful life and for at least ten years.
The 504 SBA Loan operates as a partnership between a third party lender, a certified development company and the borrower. These types of loans offer many benefits to business owners, including low down payments, below market fixed interest rates and long-term financing.
There are several criteria for qualifying for a loan, including the fact that the business must be a for-profit company with a net worth of less than $7 million. The SBA also sets caps on the net income of the business. The business applicant has to be the primary user of a facility, with a minimum percentage of 51 percent for an existing building, and 60 percent for a new building. A new job has to be created for every $35,000 provided by a Certified Development Company. Passive investment companies, non-profit companies, lending institutions and real estate development companies are not eligible for the 504 SBA Loan.
There are three parts to an SBA 504 Loan. The first part is a mortgage provided by a commercial lender, which can take up to 50 percent of the cost. This carries its own interest rate, terms and conditions. The second part is a loan through a certified development company, which can take up to forty percent with a maximum debenture amount of $1,500,000 for most businesses, $2,000,000 when meeting defined public policy goals, and $4,000,000 for eligible small manufacturers. This term can be as long as twenty years, with ten years for equipment. The interest rate for this is fixed and usually below market. The third part of the payment comes from the borrower, at around ten percent of the total cost. If the business is new, or a new facility is being built with the loan, the borrower may have to contribute as much as twenty percent. The down payment can be cash, equity in land, a building or existing equipment.
As the SBA 504 program can only be utilized to finance fixed assets, it is not the most ideal program if a prospective buyer wants to finance the purchase of an existing business. Goodwill, working capital, and other intangible assets are typically not eligible under the 504 program. This is also a program for “new money” and it cannot be used for refinance. If someone needs to refinance or needs to do a highly leveraged loan that is short on collateral, the SBA 7a program may be a viable alternative. Get more information