Top Vendors for Commercial Business Loans

A Guide to Commercial Business Loans

As a business owner you require a continuous flow of capital in and out of your company. Seasonal sales trends and other socio-economic factors, as well as unforeseen overhead costs, and interrupt your working capital reserves. When that happens – and it’s not uncommon – you can continue operating with the help of a commercial business loan.

These loans, also known as small business commercial loans and business commercial loans, are a lump-sum disbursement loan with a pre-determined payback period, and are most often used for long-term company needs. The purpose of the loan is to 1) help you secure the equipment and other assets needed for growth and competitive operation, 2) increase the working capital available for your growing company, and, 3) profit maximization via terms and repayment schedules based on your cash flow. Just a few of the expenses you can cover with a commercial business loan are equipment financing, ownership changes, and new business acquisition.

When you decide to pursue a small business commercial loan, consider these things:

Qualifying for a Commercial Business Loan

A commercial business loan is usually secured by business assets. As you search for a lender who’s a match for your current needs, keep in mind what you will use as collateral if necessary. The high-level steps of the business commercial loan process are Application, Pre-approval, Processing, Underwriting, and Closing. Be forewarned, this can be a time-consuming process.

Choosing a Commercial Business Lender

Make a realistic assessment of your financial situation and needs when choosing a lender. If your credit and financial statements are favorable, the bank you use for business checking and other services will consider your application. If your financial record is less than impeccable you can look to credit unions or small business loan broker for assistance. When contacting banks about a loan try to gauge how serious they are about lending; you don’t want to waste valuable time if they don’t consider you a viable loan candidate.

A broker will give you access to a variety of lenders, some with more flexible underwriting requirements than a bank, and will have the experience to more quickly match you with a lender that’s a good fit for you.

Negotiating Commercial Business Loan Rates and Terms

The current economic climate dictates that you be flexible in the amount and terms of your loan. Carefully consider how much you truly need to borrow. A bank may be willing to loan you a smaller amount, which will help you build a relationship with the institution, but don’t settle for a loan amount that won’t help you deal with the expenses you need to cover.

Work with your lender to structure your commercial loan terms that align your debt repayment with your business cash flow. When considering repayment, bear in mind your overall financial obligations over the course of the loan, not just this specific loan amount.