If your business is just starting out or need to expand, an unsecured business loan could be the perfect solution. Unlike secured loans, these don’t require collateral – meaning there’s no risk to the lender if your company fails to repay its debts.
Business loans can be used for any capital expense for your startup or new company, including purchasing real estate, equipment, supplies or inventory. Nevertheless, you should have a plan on how you will utilize these funds and alternative sources of funding should cash flow become an issue.
Getting a Business Loan
Acquiring a business loan can be an intricate process. To be successful, you need to be knowledgeable about all available funding options and determine which ones are most suitable for your startup.
The initial step in seeking financing is to identify your needs and then begin gathering all necessary documentation. You can do this through various sources such as banks, credit unions, microlenders and online lenders.
Additionally, ensure you have enough collateral for the loan. For instance, you could pledge your home as security or use equipment financing to obtain the funds required.
Lenders consider several key metrics when reviewing your application, including your personal credit scores. As startups tend to be riskier ventures, having a high score is especially necessary in order to be eligible for certain types of business loans.
Eligibility
Startups often struggle to obtain traditional business loans from banks and other financial institutions, but an unsecured business loan could be an alternative. These loans don’t need collateral but usually require personal guarantees from the borrower.
Start-ups can use these funds for purchasing equipment, supplies or inventory, paying rent, covering operational expenses or meeting other startup costs. They could even cover a new company’s initial marketing expenses.
Unsecured business loans come with a range of loan amounts and repayment terms, as well as interest rates that depend on the product, the borrower’s creditworthiness and borrowing history.
The eligibility requirements for a business loan will differ depending on the lender, but most usually require multiple years in business and an excellent credit score. Some alternative lenders, often online companies, provide faster funding with more lenient eligibility criteria.
Interest Rates
Unsecured business loans for startup are an ideal way to access financing without putting up your assets as collateral. They can be used for virtually any small business expense, such as accounting fees, inventory purchases and employee salaries.
Interest rates for unsecured business loans can vary significantly, depending on the lender and loan product you select. Generally, term loans and business lines of credit offer lower interest rates than other types of unsecured small business loans.
When applying for an unsecured business loan, lenders consider several key elements to determine your company’s riskiness. They generally take into account factors like age, revenue and cash flow.
The higher your business’ revenue and cash flow, the less risk it appears to lenders. Furthermore, improving your credit score could result in better interest rates.
Payments
Startups typically need funds for expenses like inventory, payroll and marketing. Credit cards can be an easy solution for many entrepreneurs to finance these items; however, they can become a major drain on cash flow as you accrue interest charges and fail to make timely payments.
Alternative lenders, often online companies, provide unsecured business loans without needing collateral. These loans may be more accommodating to startups than traditional lenders and typically take less time to approve.
These loans often offer lower interest rates than unsecured business lines of credit, saving you money on interest over time. Furthermore, some lenders provide flexible repayment options such as daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly payments depending on your company’s needs and eligibility criteria.