Tag: Loan

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Finance

4 Essential Things To Keep In Mind Before Applying For A Personal Loan

4 Essential Things To Keep In Mind Before Applying For A Personal Loan
4 Essential Things To Keep In Mind Before Applying For A Personal Loan

Summary: If you require money, taking a loan is not bad. However, the problem comes when you borrow money for your desires and not needs.

If you need money, you can come across an ocean of choices. From banks, and personal financial institutions to lending apps that lend small sums between INR 2K and 10K, many Indians are borrowing money to fulfill their business and personal needs. However, these lending apps are proving harmful and costing many their money, peace, and even their lives.

“The number of suicide cases has been on the rise since the pandemic and approximately 25,200 of those are attributed to unemployment, job loss, and being in debt”, according to data from National Crime Records Bureau.

In 2021, at least six people committed suicide in Hyderabad alone due to harassment by the recovery agents of these apps. These apps lure those who are in dire need of funds and exploit their unmet need for credit by offering no-strings-attached credit. However, they come with a high rate of interest and tricky terms and conditions to which borrowers have no recourse.

Along with that, these loan apps get access to all information from the customer’s phones after which is later used by the company to perpetrate some other financial crime.

Many business coaching programs will help you to manage your finances and get rid of your debt quickly. For those who are looking for a personal loan for the first time, it is critical to understand the nature of these loans.

Here are 5 essential tips you should consider before applying for an immediate personal loan online:

1. Pick a Loan with Lower Interest Rate

Personal loans usually come with higher interest rates and often range from 11% to 20%. Thus, even a small drop in the interest rate can make a huge difference to your overall loan costs. If you opt for a low monthly payment over a long repayment term out of convenience or for any other reason, it will cost you more as it comes with high-interest rates. Small monthly payments might seem very appealing, but it ultimately leads you to pay more for the loan over its lifetime.

2. Assess the Need for a Loan

While availing of a loan is not a bad thing, it is a financial responsibility that can extend over some time. A bad loan will lead to a financial liability that can give you sleepless nights. Hence, it is essential to weigh your motivation behind the loan and ensure that it is necessary. If the purpose of the loan is to only buy a luxury car, it might not be a wise decision.

Also, it is a high-risk move if the idea behind taking a loan is to invest in other financial products/schemes hoping to make profits. Such borrowing and reinvestment schemes are also subject to market risks and there is never a guarantee of lucrative returns.

3. Always Take a loan from the Credible Financial Institution

Apart from traditional banks, there are other financial institutions as well that are approved by the market regulator Reserve Bank of India. Digital lenders are comparatively quicker in verifying and processing loan requests, disbursement often happens faster.

It is advantageous to have multiple options to choose from as it further allows a borrower to evaluate and compare interest rates, processing time as well as other important parameters before deciding on their loan.

4. Consider Insuring Your Loan

One thing that pandemic has taught us is that life is unpredictable. Before taking a loan, ensure that your family does not have to bear the consequences of the worst-case scenario. Hence, it is important to get your loan insured. Loan insurance also works like any other insurance plan. You can pay its premium every month or as a lump sum amount.

Personal loans can be beneficial if you have planned your finances well. When used wisely, it can help you to bridge the gap in your finances without putting your assets at stake. But, it is important to ensure that you are taking a loan from a genuine source and that you pay your loan back promptly. And most importantly, remember to use the loan only for its intended purpose. You can also learn debt management through our business coaching program. To know more, visit: https://www.badabusiness.com/BCP-Event/?pp_code=BHBB000078&ref_code=SM

Categories
Finance

5 Smart Ways To Eliminate Debt & Grow Your Small Business

5 Smart Ways To Eliminate Debt & Grow Your Small Business
5 Smart Ways To Eliminate Debt & Grow Your Small Business

If you ask any small business owner or entrepreneur to name their foremost hardest challenges that don`t let them sleep in the night, they will say without a second thought- money!

Paying off debts, growing business, increasing profitability, and achieving financial freedom are a few challenges that SMEs and MSMEs often face. This was true before the pandemic, but after it, it has become even more crucial for entrepreneurs to overcome money challenges.

According to a survey published in Forbes, “95% of businesses surveyed said the pandemic had affected their bottom line, and 53% estimated that 2020 revenue would drop by more than a quarter.”

Even the best business coaches often come across questions like ‘how to get my business out of debt’ or ‘how can I repay my loan as soon as possible’ by small business owners.

Most entrepreneurs begin their start-up by arranging funds through debt funding, equity funding, loans, or through other less formal sources like friends & family. But the experience of being in debt can be scary as well as overwhelming.

If managed smartly, borrowing funds can help you accomplish your goals. On the other hand, mismanaged business debts can not only affect your financial wellbeing but can also cause mental stress, especially to small business owners that are worse affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are many government schemes to help small business owners with loans. The Indian government had offered relief to MSMEs in the form of subordinated debts, collateral-free loans, and equity infusion through its Fund of Funds (FoF) scheme in 2020. This scheme proposes to purchase up to 15% growth capital in high-credit MSMEs.

You can watch this video by Dr. Vivek Bindra on “How to Pay Off Your Loans”:

If you have a well-thought financial plan, you can solve the cumbersome process of taking your business out of debt, just like others. Here is how you can chart your way out of debt:

1. Manage Your Debts

The first step that will take you closer to managing your debt is to organize all the details of exactly what you owe. Make a list of your debts with EMIs, interest rates, and tenures. This will help you recognize the costliest debts.

2. Settle Costliest Debts First

After sorting out your debts, pick the costliest one! Costly debts, if not paid on time, will extract the highest interest. This can drain your finances. Hence, settle your costliest debts on a priority basis.

3. Plan Monthly Budget

One of the most vital debt management techniques is to plan your monthly budget. Make a list of your income & expenses while deciding your monthly budget. This will give you a clear picture to think about ways to reduce your daily expenditure. Having details of monthly cash inflow and outflow can help you save money that you can use to clear your debt.

4. Consolidate Loans

Sometimes keeping a track of all the loans can be difficult. If you have too many loans, consolidating them into one can be a good idea. This will leave you with just one EMI. Business loans, personal loans, and credit cards provide you with this option. It will remove various debts and leave you with just one loan to track.

5. Insure Against Economic Shocks

The future is uncertain and it is wise to protect yourself from uncertainties that you might be exposed to. E.g. a loss of a job could lead to delayed EMIs. So, to avoid such situations, create an emergency fund to help you sustain yourself during a bad phase. Ideally, this fund should be 3-6 times more than your current monthly income.

Repaying loans is a moral, legal, and also financial obligation. With smart and effective debt management strategies, you too can get your business out of debt. Learn how to manage your debt with the top-industry leaders from our Problem Solving Courses.

Categories
Startup

Bank or Investor? Choose The Right Funding For Your Startup Business!

Bank or Investor? Choose The Right Funding For Your Startup Business!
Bank or Investor? Choose The Right Funding For Your Startup Business!

Summary: When thinking about starting a business, which type of funding should you choose?

Starting a business is easy if you are your investor. However, seldom it happens in the real world. So, if you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur and want to start your own startup business, chances are that you must have thought about the investment too.

You may also have realized that you don`t have sufficient funds on your own to get started. So that leaves you with two choices: one is a loan, in which the lender makes its money by you paying the loan back with the applicable interest over a set period. The other is an investment, in which the investor is given a percentage of ownership (i.e., number of shares) in the business in exchange for providing the capital.

A loan and an investment are two different things. This is why you want to keep in mind what your audience is while making a business plan. The ways that lenders versus investors make money are completely different. Hence, you will require different business plans.

Here are a few factors are given by the best business motivational speakers that one must consider while choosing the type of funding:

1. Return on Investment (ROI)

If you are looking for investor funding, your prospective investors will want to see an ROI scenario with the current valuation and estimated future valuation of the business. So how will you determine that? The current evaluation of the business can be determined via the requested investment amount and the percentage of ownership given in return for the investment is how future evaluation will be determined.

For entrepreneurs, it is important to note that the valuation of investors is largely based on perception, especially for startups. The potential investors may or may not agree with your perceived valuation.

If you are looking for a bank loan, ROI does not apply to your business plan. This happens because the bank makes money by having the loan paid back with interest.

2. Exit Strategy

If you seek investor funding, prospective investors would like to know all the possible scenarios in which they can exit from having a financial interest in the business. Many possibilities include the investor selling their shares back to the company, or the business failing an investor losing their money. An investor plan will explain each possibility to exit.

If you are seeking a bank loan, you will not need an exit strategy because the bank only has a vested interest in the business during the term on the loan. Unless you don’t plan to get out of the business before the term on the loan is up, an exit strategy is not needed. Once you have paid the loan in full amount and the term is up, the bank has no interest in the performance of the business.

3. Projections

If you need a bank loan or other form of debt, your income statement should declare the interest expense, while your principal loan repayment would be shown in your cash flow statement. However, if you seek equity financing then the interest expense and principal loan repayment will both be zero.

Bank or investor? There is not a straight and simple answer to this. While banks are more inclined towards tried-and-true-business models, investors are usually interested in innovative ideas that can disrupt the business environment in some capacity.

The idea of managing a business is easier said than done and we completely agree with you. This is why to help you move forward with your business goals, we at Bada Business offer an exclusive Business Coaching Program that comes with Foundation courses, specialized courses, and value-added courses.

You can start your startup business from the scratch with the guidance and hand-holding support of a personalized business coach.

Categories
Finance

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

Business Credit Score| Representational image (Photo Credits: Pixabay)
Business Credit Score| Representational image (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

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.

 

 

Categories
MSME

Credit Guarantee Scheme: Banks Sanction Rs 1.86 Lakh Cr to 50 Lakh MSMEs Impacted by Slowdown Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

New Delhi, October 17: The Finance Ministry announced that banks have sanctioned loans of about Rs 1.86 lakh crore to 50 lakh business units under the Rs 3-lakh crore Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for the MSME sector, those who have been affected by a slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a report by PTI, over 27 lakh MSME units have received about Rs 1,32,246 crore till September 29.

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme is part of the fiscal component of the Rs 20-lakh crore Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package that was announced to lessen the stress caused by the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.

The scheme will be applicable to all loans sanctioned under GECL facility during the period from the date of announcement of the scheme to October 31 or till the amount of Rs 3 lakh crore is sanctioned under GECL, whichever is earlier.

Categories
Startup

Startup India Scheme: Here’s How to Apply And the Eligibility Criteria to Avail Government of India’s Startup Business Loan

Loan, Representational Image (Photo Credits: Pixabay.com)

Bangalore, September 8: India is home to several startups and it has the third-largest startup base in the world.  Startups require loan to help them to boost their business initially giving the necessary machinery and equipment. So startup loan is the business loan which basically caters to the main funding of a business with which you wish to start.

Eligible companies can get recognised as Startups by DPIIT, in order to access a host of tax benefits, easier compliance, IPR fast-tracking & more. In order to avail the benefit of Startup India, the company should have an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 100 crore for any of the financial years since its incorporation. The entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an already existing business. Period of existence and operations should not be exceeding 10 years from the date of incorporation.

Here Are Details About Start-Up India Business Loan: 

The Stand-Up India Scheme offers Government loans for business ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Tribe or Scheduled Caste borrower to set up a Greenfield enterprise. It is also granted to at least one woman borrower per bank branch to promote woman entrepreneurship among the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe. The tenure of the loan is 7 years.

Startup India scheme was launched on April 5, 2016, by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the backing of Department of Financial Services and is being monitored by the Ministry of Finance.

Categories
Finance

MSMEs Who Are Still Under Financial Stress May Get Another 6-Month Moratorium on Loan Principal Repayment

Currency (Photo Credits: Piklist)

Mumbai, September 2: Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Retail borrowers who are still under financial stress amid the coronavirus pandemic and are unable to repay their loans even after availing the 6-month moratorium provided by the Reserve Bank of India, may get another six-month moratorium only for principal repayments.

The news reported by Economic Times mentioned that Banks and NBFCs may give six-month moratorium on principal repayments for retail and MSME borrowers. The intention is to restructure loans for only those borrowers who really need restructuring, according to reports.

The six-month moratorium on loan repayments ended on August 31. However, borrowers who still feel that they can not start loan repayment now can approach their lenders for the restructuring of their loan.

The Reserve Bank of India recently extended the existing debt restructuring scheme for stressed MSMEs by three months to March 31, 2021, in view of the distress brought upon by the COVID-19 outbreak