How To Get Business Financing From The SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration has various loan programs that provide business financing for small businesses. It particularly caters to new and existing small businesses that are unable to secure business loans from lending institutions on their own. In the mid-90s, loan guarantees amounted to about $10 billion. By the 2000s, this has grown to over $12 billion.
The SBA does not directly provide financing. It works with other lending companies and guarantees that the SBA will pay the loan if the business defaults on it. This makes the lending company more confident in offering business loans. Here is some information on these loans.
How to Get a Business Loan …
Eligibility
The SBA has a standard set of criteria for loan applicants:
1. The business should be small with at most $7 million in tangible net worth and a net income of $2.5 million or less. Size limits vary according to industry and are determined by the number of employees and annual income.
2. The business must be operated for profit. It should be capable to generate cash flow to repay the loan.
3. The business should be in the United States.
4. The borrower has at least 20% equity invested in the business. To guarantee the loan, the borrower needs to show proof of a sound personal credit rating.
5. The loans must be used for specific business purposes – purchase of property for the business; construction and leasehold improvements; acquisition of assets, inventory and equipment; and working capital.
6. For business acquisitions, the borrower should put up equity of at least 30%. For start-ups, it is at least 33% equity.
7. Collateral, whether real estate or personal property, is required.
Interest Rates
The SBA has imposed rate ceilings for its guaranteed loans.
1. Fixed Rates – This should not exceed the prime rate + 2.25% for loans that mature in less than 7 years. For those that mature in 7 years or more, it is prime rate + 2.75%. Loans less than $50,000 have slightly higher rates.
2. Variable Rates – A negotiated amount of the spread is added to the base interest rate, which is either the optional rate pegged by SBA or the lowest prime rate.
Loan Maturity
The term of the loan varies according to ability to repay, the purpose of the loan, and the useful life of the assets purchased from loan proceeds. Working capital loans usually has 7-year terms while asset acquisition loans can have a maximum of a 25-year term.
Types of Loans Guaranteed by the SBA
1. Section 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program – This is the SBA’s most popular lending program. You can get up to $750,000 from a local 7(a) lender for working capital, purchase of assets and improvement of business premises. The SBA can guarantee 75% of loans up to $750,000 and 80% of loans of less than $100,000.
There are 7(a) programs targeting specific sectors:
a. Lowdoc program – This was created in 1993 to minimize paper work and bureaucratic steps for businesses seeking less than $150,000. The SBA came up with a one-page loan application form.
b. b. SBA Express – This is for entrepreneurs with good SBA lending history. Maximum amount to be borrowed is $250,000.
c. Other programs include the Export Working Capital Program, DELTA program, CAPLines, International Trade Loan, Pollution Control Program and Physical Disaster Business Loans.
2. 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) Program – This is intended for asset (land or equipment) purchases. The loan is made up of 50% from a bank or local lender, 40% from a CDC and 10% from your equity. This loan is up to $1 million of long-range and fixed rate financing.
3. Microloan Program – These loans come directly from the SBA via non-profit community-based intermediaries. They provide loans up to $35,000.
The Loan Application
You should be able to articulate to the SBA that your business can be successful if the loan application is approved.
1. Prepare your personal and business financial documents; a business plan; summary of collateral and revenue projection.
2. Include in your Loan Request Statement important aspects of the business.
3. Download and print the application form from the SBA website. Furnish needed personal and business information.
4. Submit all of the above to the lender.
If you have difficulty securing financing from traditional lending institutions, try the SBA program. This could be the answer to your plans to expand or improve on your business.
Do you or your business meet the criteria to secure SBA loans?
