How to Get a Small Business Loan

Despite your organization’s growth stage, there is going to come a time when a little extra cash could come in handy.

Many traditional and alternative lenders offer small business loans Charlotte NC. Such loans can help your business grow faster, help you expand your presence, fund new research and development, hire talented people and enhance sales and marketing efforts, and much more.

So, in this article, we will share several tips to help you get suitable small business loans in North Carolina and other U.S. states. Let’s jump right to it.

Understand Different Types of Small Business Loans

There is a wide variety of small business loans available. The options vary on your business requirements, loan duration, and terms.

Some of the popular small business loan choices are:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

This loan applies to qualified small businesses. And if you use the proceeds as intended, your loan could be forgiven. You can take up this loan to cover payroll expenses, utility payments, rent, operating costs, property damage expenses not covered by insurance, etc.

SBA Disaster Loans

You could avail of SBA disaster loans if your businesses suffered from a declared disaster, including the Covid pandemic.

You can use the loans for regular operating expenses and working capital. You can pay the loan over 30 years, and the interest rate is typically 3.75%. There are no prepayment fees or penalties.

Small Business Line of Credit

Under a small business line of credit, your business can access funds from a lender as required. There is a cap on the accessible amount, but a line of credit is good for managing your business’s cash flow and unanticipated expenses.

Other notable small business loans in Charlotte, NC, are accounts receivable financing, small business term loans, SBA small business loans, working capital loans, and equipment loans.

Research Available Lenders

There are many types of lenders available. Some major ones include:

Large Commercial Banks

The traditional large banks that offer small business loans in Charlotte, NC, are JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. The loan approval process takes some time due to stringent underwriting criteria.

Direct Online Lenders

Many popular online lenders help you get small business loans quickly through an online process. For example, PayPal can offer speedy short-term or working capital loans.

Peer-to-Peer Lending Sites

Several sites such as Funding Circle and SMBX act as a middleman between institutional and individual lenders. These lenders expedite the decision-making process.

Build Good Credit and Risk Profile

Lenders will assess your credit and risk profile to make a judgment. So, make sure they are good enough.

Below are a few of the things lenders will review:

● Outstanding loans and cash flow

● Credit score/credit report

● Assets in the business

● Company investors

● Time in business

Your Financial Statements Should Be Complete and Accurate

The lenders will review your financial statements carefully, depending on the loan size. They include balance sheets, cash flow statements, income, and loss statements. So make sure they are thorough, correct, and complete.

The lender will also analyze your gross margin, cash flow, account payable and receivable, EBITDA, and debt-to-equity ratio. So make sure you can answer any questions about such topics.

Try to hire a CPA to review or audit your financial statements to ensure everything is in order.

Determine the Loan Amount You Need

The lender wants to know how much you seek and how you will use the loan proceeds.

Will you use the loan for capital expenditures?

Do you need the loan for expansion, hiring, or an increase in inventory?

Do you need it for enhanced sales and marketing initiatives?

Or, you need the loan for new product development and research and development methodology.

You should borrow a little extra in case you run out of cash for a month or two. You must not be a defaulter under any circumstances.

Below are more ways to get small business loans in Charlotte, NC:

● Determine what security or guarantee you can provide to the lenders

● Analyze the critical terms of the proposed loan thoroughly

● Prepare and organize detailed information and documents about your business

So, do you have any questions about small business loans in Charlotte, NC?


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