Credit Score – Bada Business

5 Key Things Entrepreneur Should Know Before Applying For A Small Business Loan!

In a report published by Economic Times, “the Indian economy is expected to be a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and the MSME sector is expected to play a very crucial role in this growth story.” The MSME sector in our country has been the backbone of the economy. It contributes around 30 percent to the GDP and employment generation.

With the government`s ‘Make in India’ initiative, this sector is set to play an important role in supporting domestic companies and foreign multinationals to set up manufacturing units in India. Till now, 83 startups have entered the elite Unicorn club which has made India the third largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China.

But not every startup joins the Unicorn club. Some struggle to sustain themselves due to the lack of funds. And for an entrepreneur, the constant lookout for sources of working capital is like a nightmare, especially for those who run a small and medium-sized enterprise (MSMEs) with limited assets or collateral, finding different ways for fundraising.

So, if you are an entrepreneur and want to take a loan from a bank or a non-banking financial company, here are 5 things to improve your chances of getting a business loan from a bank or a non-banking financial company:

1. Maintain a Healthy Credit Score

A credit score symbolizes the creditworthiness of a person or business. It is assessed based on the payment history of the individual or business. So, the personal credit score of a person or a business is collected from the multiple institutions that maintain the records of the payments. These records can significantly affect the business’s eligibility for a loan.

If you pay your EMIs regularly and on time then you will have a healthy credit score which indicates that you are financially disciplined and are unlikely to default on repayment. Although the credit score that is required to take a loan varies and depends on the lender, a credit score above 700 will enhance your credibility.

2. Maintain Adequate Cash Flow in the Business

When you apply for a small business loan, the financial lender will investigate your business cash flow (past and future projections). An adequate cash flow will determine if the size of the loan that you are seeking is appropriate. Your previous loan history and existing debts will also be analyzed to determine whether you will be able to pay the loan`s monthly installments without defaulting. To ensure your loan approval, maintain the adequate cash flow in the business.

3. Keep all the Documents Required for Loan Application

One of the most important steps is you keep all the necessary documents ready when applying for a business loan. Keeping all the documents ready and in place will streamline the process and will make things smooth for you as well as the lender.

The following is the list of documents for verification:

Identity proof
PAN card
Address proof
Proof of business
Business and personal bank statements (last six months)
Business and personal tax return records
Business’s financial statements
Business’s legal documents such as commercial lease, and franchise agreement.

4. Be Insured

Being an entrepreneur involves a lot of risks. Hence, personal or business insurance is a must so that the loan can be paid off in case of any unfortunate event. Your probability of getting your loan approved is directly related to the risks associated with you and your business. The less risky your business is, the higher the chances of your loan getting approved.

5. Know the Best Time to Apply for a Loan

Many entrepreneurs often waste their time contemplating the ideal time to apply for a loan. However, there is no best time to apply for a loan, as the time of applying has minimal effect on the chances of your loan getting approved. Many business owners believe that the best time to apply for a loan is when your company is in the need of finances.

Many startups have to close their operations due to a lack of funds. But with a business loan, you can ensure that your business sustains in the market. There are many government schemes as well that offer business loans at nominal interest charges. So keep the above-mentioned points into consideration when applying for a small business loan.

Are you looking to find solutions for your burning problems? Get practical solutions easily with our problem solving course, action plan, frameworks that are designed to empower you with various business functions.

From finance to HR, Digital Marketing to IT & Sales, find creative solutions to prominent business problems easily. Click here to know how these courses will benefit you: https://www.badabusiness.com/psc

What is a Business Credit Score & Why is it Important? Here are Three Benefits of Having a Higher Credit Score

For firms to survive only on equity and owners’ fund is not possible. As a business grows, expands and diversify, more and more funds are required. Owing to the limited funds with the owner, businesses look for external sources and borrowed funds. Availing a loan is a tiresome and lengthy process; firms do not get the debt easily from the market. Lenders will be keen on allocating their money to the business, only when they are sure of uninterrupted growth and return. Here is when a firm’s credit score comes into the picture. Home Business Ideas: 4 Brilliant Work From Home Ideas That You Should Consider Taking Up.

In simple words, a business credit score is a number that indicates whether a company is a good candidate to receive a loan or become a business customer. This score is based on various parameters such as company’s credit obligations and repayment histories with lenders and suppliers; any legal filings such as tax liens, judgments, or bankruptcies; how long the company has operated; business type and size; and repayment performance relative to that of similar companies. Startups in India Bagged $9.3Bn Investments in 2020 Despite COVID-19 Challenges: Report.

Following the separate entity principle of accounting, the process of calculating the score only takes into consideration the financial position and performance of the business. However, in the case of a small business, the lender might check both the businesses’ and owners’ credit scores, since the personal and business finances of such firms are highly influenced by each other.

A good credit score helps businesses in more than one way. Here are three benefits of having a positive credit score –

Quicker Approval of Loans

A good credit score is an evidence of the credit worthiness of an enterprise. If a firm has a positive credit score then it becomes easier for it to get loans, from small to large, without going through a time consuming and lengthy process. Higher credit score creates a credible identity for the business in the eyes of the lender and therefore gives your application a boost, giving quick approvals to loans.

Lower Interest Rate

Apart from the re-payment of the principal amount, a borrower needs to make regular interest payments as well. However, a good credit score allows the borrower to negotiate a lower interest rate. Businesses’ with higher credit scores are generally able to secure the lowest interest rates available at a given time, thereby reducing the repayment burden on the firm.

Easier Terms of Loans

One of the biggest benefits of having a good and high credit score is that it provides the businesses more bargaining power over terms of the loans, including the repayment period, repayment method, collateral requirements among others. Since a good credit score ensures that the business is capable of timely and full repayment, the lenders are comparatively lenient of the borrowers.

Hence a business should maintain a good and higher credit score to meet its funds requirement and avail quick loans at flexible terms of repayment. It highlights the creditworthiness of the business and attract private and institutional lenders.