BUSINESS LOAN BASICS

Understanding the essentials will improve your chances of getting finance.

by mandated restrictions and also feature widely in the franchise sector. Lenders are being more cautious in lending to franchisees in these industries. While it can be more difficult to obtain finance for certain industries there are mitigants you can offer the lenders to improve your chances of obtaining finance.

MITIGANTS

Mitigants are elements that reduce the risks to lenders. Some of the mitigants lenders will look for include:

Do you have prior experience in running a business?

Can you display financial acumen? Do you have prior experience in the industry you are looking to buy into? Do you have a strong asset position?

Are your personal finances in order? Have you completed due diligence with legal, financial and accounting advice? Do you have a business plan and cash flow?

DUE DILIGENCE

Lenders like to see that as a prospective business owner you have completed a reasonable amount of due diligence. This includes writing a business plan, providing an analysis of previous financial data (if available) and providing financial and sales forecasts. You need to be able to display to the lenders that you know what you are doing, you have a plan in place regarding how you will operate the business, you have considered risks and offered mitigants and you have a clear understanding of financial implications of business performance.

STANDARD LENDING REQUIREMENTS

There is of course the standard lending criteria which lenders will apply to your loan application. Do you have sufficient capital or equity behind you, do you have collateral to offer if required, can you evidence that the business can service the loan, are you willing offer personal guarantees if requested. Lenders will apply credit criteria and go through their series of calculations to assess if they will lend you money.

You can play a vital role in this process by having financial information readily available. Lenders get concerned if borrowers are disorganised. It is always a good idea to have a “lender pack” ready with everything that may be required for the loan, including a copy of your franchise agreement where possible (even if it is just a template version, not the executable version).

PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION

Your personal financial position will also likely be considered when applying for business finance. Your lender may ask the following questions:

What are your personal debts? For example home loan, investment property loan, credit cards, car loans and so on

What are your living expenses? This includes how much you spend on groceries, utilities, school fees, insurances and so on

How will you pay for these expenses while your business builds?

Is there going to be another source of income into the household? Do you have a partner who will continue to work, do you have investment income and so on

It is highly recommended that you go into your meeting with your lender with a document breakdown of your personal assets, liabilities and living expenses

Lenders are asking for more information than ever before to assess whether they will lend you money to buy a business (or for any purpose really) so preparation is key. Making it easier for the lender by being prepared mans you are making it easier for the lender to say YES!

Maria Robinson is director/ senior finance broker of Concinnate Financial Services.

Managing director, Spectrum Analysis

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