Wazzup Pilipinas!
You probably know how difficult to convince your bankers to sanction a business loan for your organization. Meeting the eligibility requirements, these lenders lay down for such funds is only the first step. After this, you have to fill up numbers of applications forms and provide adequate collateral. It is a time-consuming process. However, the government realizes the importance of entrepreneurship for the economies of their country. The establishment you operate in the market not only provides you with a livelihood. It also provides employment to the people you hire. This is the reason why the officials running have come up with small business administration loan schemes.
What is the function of Small Business Administration?
The Small Business Administration is a government agency in America which help entrepreneurs get the funds they need. It conducts its activities through a vast network of prominent financial institutions and private lenders. Its objective is to ensure that these business owners get the loans they require without any hassle. In addition to lending money, the officials of this organization also provide necessary support and education to such proprietors. They leave it up to the lenders to formulate their own eligibility criteria for providing such funds. However, they go to the extent of guaranteeing a small percentage of every loan such lenders give out. This minimizes their overall risk to a certain extent. This ensures the proper growth of various categories of small businesses in the economy.
The entrepreneurial loans which the Small Business Administration provide businessmen generally fall under the three categories:
SBA 7(a) Loans
If you opt to apply for such funds, you can get an up to $ 5.5 million. However, you need to repay this sum and the equivalent interest within a period of 7 years.
CDC/504 loans
You can use this loan to buy land for your business or new machinery to boost production. The amount you get under this scheme depends upon the nature of the asset you want to acquire.
SBA microloans
You have a great idea to fulfill a shortage in the market but no funds to finance your venture. In such a situation such a loan can help you to establish your start-up concern. You can get as much as $ 50,000 for your business. However, you need to repay this sum within a period of 6 years.
SBA loans do not have the same stringent eligibility requirements which banks lay down for sanctioning such funds. However, you need to:
Have a credit score of 620+;
Earn an income of $10,000 over and above annual revenues of your business; and
You should have two years of experience in operating your business unless it is a startup concern
4 Key benefits of Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
Industry experts say entrepreneurs can enjoy the following four important advantages when opt to apply for SBA loans:
Comparatively low rates of interest
The interest rates banks charge for the loans they provide is an important concern for most entrepreneurs. They need cost-effective funds to operate their businesses. However, bank officials argue that their organizations need to earn adequate profits. This is why they charge a very high price for the funds they lend out to such proprietors. Prominent professionals from reliable organizations like say this is where SBA loans come into the picture. Depending upon the market conditions, the interest rate on SBA 7(a) Loan can be as low as 6.75%. This is an important fact which you cannot afford to ignore at any costs.
Capital availability
Getting bank officials to sanction a loan you need to operate your business can be a daunting task. They are generally reluctant to provide such funds to entrepreneurs especially those with a low credit score. They need to be absolutely sure they can get their money back with interest. This is why they lay down such stringent eligibility requirements. The situation becomes worse when the economy is reeling under a recession. No one has to explain this fact to you. Fortunately, opt to apply for SBA loans can help you out in such circumstances. You can borrow as much as $5.5 million for your business at a nominal rate of interest.
Repayment period and terms
You need to keep in mind a number of factors when you opt to take a loan from a bank. One of the most is the time period within which you have to repay this money. You need to utilize such funds to operate your business carefully. Otherwise, it could put a lot of stress on your organization's finances especially the cash flow position. This is something you do not want to do. However, SBA loans generally come with the longest repayments period and flexible terms. Opting for such funds can ease the pressure on your business finances. In some cases, you can repay the amount you borrow over a period of 25 years.
Down payments
It is not uncommon for your banker to ask you for a down payment or collateral. Only then will give you the money you need for your business. He/she may insist on laying down such a condition after examining your financial profile. He/she may even consider the purpose for which you will be using such money. Financial experts like nationaldebtrelief.com explain that SBA loans have the lowest down payments in the market. In some cases, you just have to pay only 10% of the amount you are asking for. In the case of a microloan, you do not have to pay anything at all.
The above four important advantages should convince you that it is worthwhile to opt for SBA loans. They are one of the most popular entrepreneurial loans in the market today. Opting to borrow such funds can do wonders for your business and the economy as a whole. Moreover, the money comes with a guarantee from the government to secure lenders of the risk they undertake. The officials ruling the country are willing to pay as much as 85% of the amount they lend out in case their borrowers’ default. This provides a win-win situation for everyone.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
