Types of Small Business Loans

SBA Loans

Explanation: The Small Business Administration is an independent agency of the federal government. Its mission is to help people start, build and grow businesses. The SBA does not actually supply the loan; lenders are responsible for that part. But the SBA guarantees between 50 to 85 percent of the loan, making the lender less wary of lending to riskier borrowers. The SBA does this by backing and securing loans that are given by banks.

Requirements/Documentation: Applicants of SBA loans will be required to provide a business profile, loan request, collateral, business financial statements and personal financial statements.

Pros: SBA can back loans of up to $2million dollars. Start up businesses can also take advantage of SBA loans if they meet the requirements, provide the proper documentation and present a sound business plan.

Cons: Borrowers are at the SBA's discretion when it comes to getting a loan. They have to be able to persuade them that the loan will be put to good use, and they must outline exactly how the loan will be used. Also, as bank lending practices tighten, SBA loans are also becoming harder to receive.

Business Line of Credit

Explanation: A business line of credit is like a credit card for one's business. A business line of credit offers revolving credit with lines that typically range from $10,000 to $100,000.

Requirements/Documentation: Many different banks offer business lines of credit. They may offer lines of up to $25,000, or lines of $25,000 and over. Requirements may vary depending on the lender that you are working with.

Pros: You have accessible cash on hand anytime you want. Also, many lenders do not require borrowers to have collateral to receive a business line of credit.

Cons: Like a personal credit card, you must pay interest on the outstanding monthly balance.

Business Cash Advance

Explanation: A business cash advance is a purchase of a business's future credit card receivables. Borrowers receive an upfront lump sum and in return, a small percentage from their business's future credit card sales is deducted and used to repay the advance.

Requirements/Documentation: Most business cash advance lenders require that the borrower has a business that has been in operation for at least four months, and that the business processes a minimum of $2,500 per month in credit card sales. Borrowers must provide lenders with at least the four most recent months of their business's credit card statements.

Pros: Borrowers do not need to have collateral to receive a business cash advance. There is no interest on the advance, and there are no fixed monthly payments. There are also no penalties for repaying the advance slower or faster than expected. Also, there are no restrictions on how your business cash advance can be used.

Cons: Business cash advances can not be used to fund start-ups, as the borrower must have owned his/her business for at least four months to be eligible to receive the advance. Also, only merchant businesses that process credit card transactions are eligible to receive business cash advances, as the payments are taken as a small percentage from a business's daily credit card sales.

Gaston C. writes articles about Small Business Loans for Merchant Resources International.