subject: Funding a Business: How Much Risk Do You Present to a Bank? [print this page] Funding a Business: How Much Risk Do You Present to a Bank?
Funding a business requires planning and in order to maximize your financing potential I encourage you to develop a well prepared business plan.This will not only help guide your company but also provide potential lenders or investors an in-depth review of how you plan to become profitable in your new venture.I have assembled a few of the key factors lenders use to determine the risk level of a borrower that should help prepare you for the road ahead.Let's cover these four key factors in greater detail: credit capacity, corporate collateral, company conditions, and creditworthy character.Credit CapacityThis is an evaluation of your ability to repay a loan. Credit capacity is evaluated by several components including cash flow, payment history, and additional cash sources. Additional factors include a strong business credit file, a solid bank rating (typically a low 5), a well designed business plan and/or prior year(s) financials that show you can produce enough cash to repay the loan.For information on how to write a business plan be sure to check out the free video course provided by the Small Business Administration.Corporate CollateralCommercial real estate, heavy machinery, inventory, equipment, stocks and bonds, and other expensive business assets that can be sold if a borrower fails to repay the loan are considered corporate collateral. Without corporate collateral to secure a loan the lender may require that you put up personal collateral and a personal guarantee.*There are specific banks that do cd secured loans and these types of loans can allow you to grow your access to funding at a much faster rate.Company ConditionsBe prepared to prove that the condition is right for your business. Make sure the market, industry, positioning, competitiveness, and experience can back up your funding request. This should be outlined in your business plan along with revenue projections and other financial forecasts.Creditworthy CharacterLenders have to believe that the business owner is a reliable individual who can be depended on to repay the loan. Some areas they look into include your personal credit reports, education, and work experience.Finally, when applying for a small business loan, don't forget the importance of personal relationships. Apply for a loan at a bank where you already have a positive business relationship.Also, make an attempt to meet with the individual who will be evaluating your application, such as a bank's lending officer, rather than the teller who handles your day-to-day banking transactions.
