Is a Secured Business Loan Right For Your Business?
https://cdn.wallstreetmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/secured-loan-vs-unsecured-loan.pngA secured business loan is one that requires some type of collateral. Collateral refers to the assets that a lender uses to ensure that a loan is repaid. If a business defaults on a loan, the lender has the right to seize the collateral in order to recuperate their losses. Real estate and equipment are examples of collateral.
Unsecured loans, on the other hand, do not necessitate any form of security. Unsecured loans have higher interest rates and shorter repayment durations than secured loans because they are riskier for the lender. Secured loans are more appealing to business owners than unsecured loans because they are easier to qualify for if they are willing to put up collateral. They generally have lower interest rates, larger loan amounts, and more flexibility.
What is the best way to get a business loan?
You must be able to offer up business or personal assets that can be converted into cash in order to receive a business loan. Here are a few examples of assets that can be used as collateral for a loan:
- Property: Personal real estate, as well as commodities like automobiles, boats, and motorcycles.
- Equipment: Machinery and other equipment that you employ to run your business are examples.
- Savings: Savings account, checking account, or a company loan secured by a certificate of deposit (CD).
- Inventory: Some lenders will let you utilize your existing inventory as collateral. This is often between 60% and 80% of the total worth of the items.
- Invoices: Borrowers can seek an advance on their overdue invoices using invoice factoring. These bills are subsequently put up as security for the loan.
- Investments: Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are all options.
- Valuables: Jewelry and collectibles are examples of valuables.
- Blanket liens: In the case of a default, a blanket lien permits the lender to sell any asset owned by the company to recuperate their losses.
- Personal guaranty: If your business defaults on a loan, you’ll be personally accountable for repaying it with personal assets if you sign a personal guaranty.
Business loans: unsecured vs. secured
Unsecured loans do not require collateral, but secured loans must. As a result, the loan application process and the structure of each form of loan differs.
When you apply for an unsecured loan, the lender will place a greater emphasis on your credit score and repayment history than if you applied for a secured loan. Because unsecured loans aren’t secured, lenders are more likely to provide lower amounts of money and shorter repayment terms. An unsecured loan may require a personal guaranty, which means you are responsible for repaying the debt if the business fails. A lender may also establish a blanket lien on all of your business’s assets, thus making all of your business’s assets collateral.
Even yet, if you have a solid credit score and need money quickly to take advantage of a business opportunity, an unsecured loan may be a suitable option. Because there is no collateral to appraise, the application process for unsecured business loans is usually simpler, which means you could get your money quickly.
Secured business loans have a number of advantages
- Easier to qualify for: Offering collateral lowers the lender’s risk, increasing your chances of receiving funding. A secured business loan provides a way to financing and the opportunity to rehabilitate one’s credit score for business owners with bad credit.
- Better terms: The lesser the lender’s risk, the more favorable the terms are likely to be. It’s possible to receive a huge quantity of financing with a long repayment term and a low interest rate if you have quality collateral.
- Flexibility: A secured loan allows you to put up personal assets as collateral to cover beginning costs for a firm that is just getting started.
Secured business loans have a number of drawbacks
- Loss of collateral: If you take out a secured business loan, you run the risk of losing the asset you used to secure the loan if you default. This is a risk that all business owners should consider before taking out a secured loan.
- Time to funding: Because the lender must appraise the value of your collateral, a secured loan can take longer to acquire money than an unsecured loan.
Secured business loans 6 top options
Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA loans are secured loans from lenders backed by the Small Business Administration of the United States (SBA). You can apply for an SBA loan through a lender that has been approved by the SBA. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a Lender Match service that allows you to specify the sort of financing you require and be matched with an SBA lender in your area.
The SBA 7(a) loan is the most popular type of SBA loan. Your loan amount might be up to $5 million, repaid over five to 25 years, with interest rates starting at around 6%, depending on the sort of SBA loan you acquire. To be eligible for an SBA loan, you must show that you have exhausted all other avenues for funding. Typically, SBA loans are secured by assets such as real estate or business equipment.
Term loans
Term loans are available from most banks and other lenders. Short-term loans usually have three to 18-month repayment durations and loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. Long-term loans can be worth millions of dollars and have repayment durations of up to 20 years.
The criteria for a term loan vary depending on the lender and loan size, but most will look for a good credit score, one to two years of business experience, and robust revenue and cash flow. Business assets such as real estate, equipment, and automobiles can be used to secure a term loan.
Equipment Loans
Loans secured by equipment (machines, trucks, etc.) are known as equipment loans. If you default on your loan, the lender will seize and sell the equipment you bought with it to recuperate its losses.
Equipment loans are available from a number of online lenders. The loan amounts start at $5,000 and can go up to $1 million. You must meet your lender’s credit score, time in business, and revenue standards to qualify. The repayment period is usually three to seven years.
Invoice factoring
By selling outstanding bills to a factoring provider, your business can gain access to funds held in unpaid invoices. The factoring provider then advances a portion of the unpaid invoices (usually 70% to 90%).
The invoice acts as collateral for the loan in invoice factoring. You can apply for invoice factoring online with a number of different alternative lenders. The loan amount can be as high as $5 million. As invoices are paid, loans are repaid. Some factoring companies charge a one-time flat cost per invoice, while others charge a fee that rises in proportion to the length of time the invoice has been unpaid. You must meet the lender’s credit score, time in business, and revenue standards to qualify.
Business line of credit
A business line of credit allows you to borrow a specified amount of money from a lender. The line of credit is revolving, so once you’ve paid it off, you’ll be able to use the same money again. Furthermore, you only pay interest on the amount of money you spend (average APRs for business lines of credit can range from 8% to 80% or more).
Banks and online lenders both provide business lines of credit, which typically have credit limits ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. You must put up business assets as collateral for a secured business line of credit, such as commercial real estate. To be considered, you must have a minimum credit score of 500 and six months to two years of business experience.
Inventory financing
Inventory financing allows you to secure a loan by using your current inventory as collateral. Many online lenders, such as BlueVine, OnDeck, and Headway Capital, offer inventory financing. The loan levels for inventory financing range from $1,000 to $250,000. The majority of lenders will charge interest on a weekly or monthly basis.
A personal credit score of at least 550 is required to qualify. Lenders will also want to examine at least six months’ worth of financial records. Typical loan periods range from three to 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Secured Business Loans
- What is the definition of a secured business loan?
A secured business loan is one that necessitates some type of security. If the business fails to repay the debt, the lender has the right to seize those assets as collateral.
- What are secured business loans and how do they work?
Secured business loans provide funding depending on the value of the collateral you put up. The lender will assess the value of your collateral and provide loans based on that value. Once you’ve received funding, you’ll have to repay it according to the conditions of your loan arrangement.
- What kind of assets qualify as collateral for a business loan?
Lenders will accept a wide range of assets as collateral. Commercial real estate, business equipment and machinery, inventory, invoices, blanket liens, and personal guarantees are all kinds of collateral.
- Is it easier to receive a secured loan?
Secured loans are often easier to qualify for than unsecured loans because they are backed by assets. This lowers the lender’s risk, so they may be more inclined to lend you money even if you have bad credit or low monthly income.
Apply today with G-Force Funding for a secured loan from $50,000 – $1,000,000.
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