Tired of bank runarounds? Find the truly easy-to-access small business loans. Our guide cuts through the noise to get you funded faster.
“Where is that brilliant business idea you had? The one that came to you while sipping coffee in the wee hours of the night, fueled by pure ambition. Then reality hits you hard in the gut- you need funding. You go to the bank, only to face a never-ending stack of paperwork that feels like a giant burden.
It feels like you’re in a never-ending saga. But, what if things are different now? There used to be small business loans that came with buckets full of challenges in a quest to attain them. Nowadays with the specially designed financial aid infrastructure, getting that growth funding is quite easy, as long as you are aware of where to look.”
“Ditching The Old Ball And Chain: What “Easy-Access” Really Refers To”
We need to get one thing right. We’re not calling easy-to-get small business loans free of charge or requiring only copies of driver’s permits. As appealing as that sounds, lenders don’t offer loans without verifying a clear target. We’re focusing on the complete overhaul of the slow as a snail, not lending, banking system.
So, what do these new “easier” business practices entail?
Warp-Speed Applications: As opposed to spending a week gathering a pile of dusty documents, modern lenders often have online applications that you can complete on your lunch break, and some applications even sync with your accounting software.
Decisions in Hours, Not Weeks: Alternative lenders often utilize technology and algorithms to quickly assess your business’s health and often have a decision made within 24 to 48 hours.
Credit Score Flexibility: If your personal credit score is less than ideal it still matters, but to many online lenders, a business’s actual performance, including revenue and cash flow, weigh more. Business credit score overdraft.
Minimal Paperwork: Unlike traditional lenders that require multi-year tax returns, extensive business plans, and personal asset declarations, modern lenders require basic identification, recent bank statements, and proof of business ownership documents.
Your Modern Toolkit:
Navigating this new world requires a map. You can access small business loans easily, but you must stay aware of certain requirements.
The Fintech Frontier: Online Lenders
These are the pioneers who disrupted the industry using technology to assist small business owners. They have almost a fully online business model which lowers the cost of doing business and increases efficiency.
What they offer: They have a wide array of products and services such as short term loans to meet immediate inventory needs and term loans lasting a few years for expansion projects. They also offer business lines of credit which allow accessing funds on an as needed basis.
Who it’s for: Small businesses with decent cash flow and steady revenue for six to twelve months can benefit the most.
The Cash Flow Hack: Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs)
Let’s be honest for a moment. Although people dub them Merchant Cash Advances, lenders do not treat MCAs as “loans” in the traditional sense.
Rather a merchant cash advance provider offers to pay you a lump sum in advance for a percentage of your future credit and debit card sales.
The Good: MCAs are incredibly fast. The funding MCAs are often done the same day the application is submitted. They also work for people with bad credit who have high sales volumes such as restaurant or retail owners.
The Catch: The speed this provides is not without its downsides. Lenders may express the cost as a factor rate, which is considerably higher than a traditional loan’s APR. Think of this funding as a “break glass in case of emergency” option. It is powerful, but you must approach it cautiously.
The Invoice Magicians: Invoice Factoring & Financing
Does it feel like you’re perpetually waiting to receive payments from your clients? This is a cash flow nightmare scenario. Invoice factoring allows you to sell those unpaid invoices to a “factor” or third-party company, which pays a discounted price. That “factor” company will pay you most of the invoice value in advance and will subsequently collect payment from your client.
Why it’s easy: The funding is advanced based of your clients’ payment history. You are a small business working with larger brands and reliable companies; this is a lifesaver. This is one of the most intelligent and easier to obtain small business loan alternatives that is available.
Setting Yourself Up for a “Yes”
Even though lenders make these options more flexible and accessible, you cannot show up empty-handed. Organize all documents in advance to ensure a smooth application process.
Know Your Numbers: Have a good understanding of your income, profit margins, and major costs for the month. You don’t need a CFO’s level of detail, but you need to speak intelligently about the financial health of your business.
Organize Your Documents: Keep your last three to six months of business bank statements stored as PDFs. Have your driver’s license and the articles of incorporation ready. Showing preparedness demonstrates how serious you are, and it makes things easier for the lender.
Define the “Why”: “Put me in coach, I’m ready to hit the expansion.” Why are you expanding? Be ready to explain in detail how each dollar you spend from the loan directly drives business growth. The changing world of finances now recognizes small business owners who are driven and gritty. The tables have turned. The traditional business model would have forced you to line up at a bank, but now online lenders offer easy-to-access small business loans and are ready to finance you as you wish. You just have to handle the preparations and understand the options. Your dreams don’t have to be postponed any longer. Rather, their realization can be achieved faster than expected.
