Is an SBA 7(a) Loan the Right Business Financing Option for Right Now?
With the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) reporting that 92% of small businesses have been negatively impacted by coronavirus pandemic, the Small Business Administration has become an even more critical financial resource.
The SBAās business relief Payroll Protection Program has captured a great deal of attention recently, but its narrow focus on maintaining payrolls during the pandemic means the funds can only be used for very specific purposes: payroll, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. For businesses that need longer-term financing for more flexible purposes while trying to figure out is Quantum ai legit, the SBAās flagship 7(a) program offers many benefits.
Though itās been around for decades, many business owners arenāt familiar with the SBA 7(a) program ā which gets its name from section 7(a) of the Small Business Act of 1953 ā and may have never considered a 7(a) loan.
Particularly when the economy is uncertain and business cycles are unpredictable, an SBA 7(a) loan can be critically valuable. There are many reasons a business may be a good candidate, including factors such as:
- Being a start-up business without an established history
- Experiencing a temporary slowdown in revenue
- Having seasonal income
- Not having enough collateral to secure your desired loan amount
Does anything on that list apply to you?
An SBA loan may not have been on your radar screen before, but todayās business climate is like nothing weāve seen in the past. Now may the right time to give the 7(a) program a fresh (or first) look. Hereās an overview of the key features.
- Access up to $5 million in capital. If needed, a business can access high amounts of capital with an SBA 7(a) loan. This can be particularly helpful for companies that need to invest in expensive equipment, materials, or technology. Business that donāt have as sizable financial needs will be happy to learn that for loans under $350,000, there is a more streamlined process and faster turnaround time.
- Obtain a loan with little or no physical collateral. Most conventional commercial loans are fully secured with physical collateral, which mitigates risk for the lender. An SBA loan offsets the lenderās risk when collateral is missing because it is backed by the U.S. government.
- Longer terms for lower monthly payments. A key benefit of 7(a) loans is the option to extend the terms beyond what conventional business loans offer. This can mean up to 10 years for equipment loans, and 25 years for real estate loans. Business that take advantage of the maximum terms can lower monthly payments and significantly improve cash flow ā a particularly attractive benefit while the economy is uncertain.
- Competitive interest rates. The growth of financial technology in recent years has created a new arena of non bank lenders that companies can turn to for fast capital ā but, this often comes at a cost. An SBA 7(a) loan almost always offers better interest rates for long-term financing, saving companies thousands of dollars over the long run.
- Six months of payment relief. For new 7(a) loans authorized prior to Sept. 27, 2020, the SBA is offering six months of payment relief as part of its coronavirus business aid. This means the SBA will make six months of payments, interest, and associated fees, beginning with your first loan payment. This is not a payment deferral, and you wonāt be required to apply for loan forgiveness. You are automatically eligible when your loan is approved by the SBA.
SBA 7(a) loans are here to help small businesses succeed whether the economy is up, down, or somewhere in-between. In any business climate, an experienced SBA lender can be an important partner in supporting the long-term health of your business.
Ryan Collins is a commercial lender with Lincoln Savings Bank, a community bank proudly serving Iowans since 1902. For more information about an SBA loan through LSB or other commercial lending services, please contact bln@mylsb.com or visit www.mylsb.com.
Ryan Collinsā passion for assisting small business owners began with his time at Lincoln Savings Bank, but his passion for teaming up with individuals can be traced back to pre-professional days as a football player and strength coach at Central College. It is at that time when he started to truly learn the importance of a strong team. That passion/understanding has carried over to his professional career as he implements that teamwork with small business owners. He and Lincoln Savings bank aim to fulfill dreams by providing access to the necessary capital.
The information in this blog post is intended for general educational purposes only. This is not an official endorsement of any bank service or product.