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Secured Business
Loans
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Types
of Business Loans: It’s the normal nature of business to utilized
loans for a
wide variety of purposes. For some businesses the need may be for capital to expand services, purchase new
equipment or hire additional employees. For others, cash may be required to see the company through a temporary
slowdown in business which can be seasonal or due to a general economic downturn. When those needs arise, there
are a couple of ways to go about acquiring the additional funding. Two of the most usual avenues include secured
business loans and unsecured business loans. There are major differences in the two and a number of reasons why
one type of loan might be a better choice than the other.
Secured -vs-
Unsecured: Of the two basic loan types, secured loans are easier to get because credit is not as much of a
factor since the loan is secured with an asset of some kind. The asset or assets used to provide the security
can be any one or combination of things. Depending upon the lending institution you are dealing with, suitable
assets may include real property, inventory, equipment, accounts receivable and even intellectual property or
trademarks. Credit ratings for the business, as well as personal ratings for this type of loan, are not nearly
as much of a factor as with an unsecured loan. The unsecured variety will normally require an excellent credit
rating and a profitable business history backed up by tax returns and audited financial statements. Additional
requirements may include a formal business plan outlining how and when the loan will be repaid. Even if you are
able to meet all the requirements, unsecured loans carry higher interest rates and less advantageous terms and
conditions. It should come as no surprise that even large, financially strong, companies often choose to go with
a secured loan.
Shop
for Rates: With a secured loan you should do some interest rate shopping before settling on a lender. Since the lenders
are well protected in this type of loan and there little or no risk involved for them, you will have a better
chance of getting the best interest rate by having several lenders compete for your
business.
If you are new to the loan market, it may seem a bit daunting
but you'll get the hang of it very quickly. Most loan officers will be very helpful and walk you through all
the details. Since you'll have a pretty good idea of the value of the security they are asking you to put up as
collateral, the only thing to watch for is to not let the loan become over secured. Simply put; do not let a lender take too much in property or assets as security. Not often,
but sometimes they can get a bit over protective and want to encumber more of your assets than is required to
secure the loan. Especially with your first loan, don’t be so anxious to get the loan that you rush into a
situation that is not in your best interest. It is a good practice to look for a loan officer that is experienced
enough to understand how your particular type of business works. In that way he/she can help you by putting
together a loan package that is beneficial for your business as well as secure for the lending
institution.
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