MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Seeking a Small Business Loan?
What You Should Know!
(BPT) - Small businesses still struggle to obtain credit; nearly half of those who applied for credit in 2016 didn't get all the funding they sought, and 17 percent of those who didn't apply for financing skipped it because they didn't think they could get what they needed, according to the Federal Reserve Banks' Small Business Credit Survey. However, a growing number of small businesses are turning to alternative sources of financing.
"The process for accessing and receiving funding can be slow and cumbersome and alternative forms of lending are greatly helping to improve the availability of financing for small business owners," says Jacqueline Reses, head of Square Capital. "Ensuring that the financial system is more inclusive and addresses the needs of small business owners who may have been previously underserved by traditional lenders is paramount."
The Federal Reserve study has shown
steadily increasing numbers of small businesses, with annual revenues of less than $1 million, seeking financing through non-traditional sources such as online lenders. In 2014, just 18 percent applied to online lenders, while in 2016, 21 percent did.
As the alternative lending industry continues to grow, small business owners should keep five points in mind when evaluating loan offers, Reses says:
Total payback amount of a loan. Knowing how much a loan is going to cost isn't always easy. For a small business owner, being able to see exactly how much you will need to repay and accounting for that in your budget is crucial, and you should always look for transparency. Total payback amount is the dollar value that represents all costs, so business owners know exactly what they will owe over the life of the loan. Businesses should look for this when they assess loan offers. Assessing offers solely on other metrics like APR may not always provide a fair or easy comparison.
Repayment Method. The ease of repayment is also important to consider and there are some unique options available to small businesses looking for flexibility when it comes to repayment.
Article by Jacqueline Reses, head of Square Capital