Federal Reserve Discount Interest Rate: Banks and other lending institutions borrow capital from the Fed. The discount rate is the rate of interest that the Fed charges the institutions to borrow funds on a short term basis. The discount rate is directly connected to the Prime Rate, which is the rate of interest on short term loans that the banks charge their customers with high credit ratings.
Your Credit Score: If you approach a lender for a business loan, it checks your credit worthiness from the Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs). The score determines whether you are capable of paying your dues on time. You can protect your score by paying your bills on time and keeping your expenses at a minimum.
Lender Factors: Banks and lending institutions balance their profit margin with various market factors, such as inflation, state of the economy, etc. If they charge too little interest, they risk going out of business. On the other hand, if they charge a lot, they risk losing out on potential customers. So, shop around, compare various quotes and choose the best deal possible.
Low interest business loans ensure you can manage your payments better. Follow these steps to land a low interest loan:
· Have a good credit score, ideally more than 650.
· Check out various loan options through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA guarantees your loan and offers various grant options.
· Prepare a good business plan and have realistic cash flow and P&L projections.
· Check out various social lending sites to get a good deal on the rates.