As a general rule, banks never provide full financing of your desired amount. If you have a start-up company, your contribution typically must be at least 25 to 35% of the costs. The contribution can vary, however, depending a lot on your business’ stability and the value of the assets used to secure the loan.
Your credit history is critical if your business is a start up or it has been in operation for a short period of time. The reason for this factor is that banks take into consideration that you will operate your business in the same way you manage your personal finances.
Next, show the bank executives the financial statements of your business for an overall assessment of its financial health and worth. Also, prepare a detailed pro-forma of your business and cash flow projections. Finally, prepare a well-thought out business plan. Give the bank as much data as possible. Always present information that is accountable.
After you have prepared the documentation, a good place to start is the bank that you already have an existing account with. In addition, if you have an existing mortgage with a bank, it is also a viable option to tap into.
A second option is to find a bank that actually looks to expand its business lending unit. You can search for these banks online or use your professional network. Working with such banks does not require much effort and if you are lucky, you might end up with a good deal on the interest rates.
A third option is to look at various credit unions. Credit unions usually have flexible lending rules and you can speak directly with the top executives or decision-makers, which otherwise is virtually impossible in case of traditional banking establishments.