FINANCING -
What can I do to raise money for my small business?
Although the process is complex and frustrating, raising capital is the most basic of all business activities. When looking for financing, there are various sources to consider. For most new businesses, the main source of capital comes from savings and other forms of personal resources. There are better options available than credit cards that are often used for financing, even a small business loan. When beginning, entrepreneurs usually look to private sources like friends and family. Generally, the money is loaned at a low interest rate or interest free, which is very beneficial at the beginning. The most common source of funding, not including personal resources, are credit unions and banks who will provide a loan if it is possible to show that your offer is worthwhile. Other sources are venture capital firms that aid businesses in exchange for partial or equity ownership.
For business financing, what kinds of loans exist?
You must know the exact amount of money that you need, what your purpose is and how you will repay it in order to be successful in getting a loan. You must convince the lender in a written proposal that you are a good credit risk. There are two basic kinds of loans, although terms vary by lender: Short-term and long-term, maturity periods of up to one year are generally short-term, which include accounts receivable loans, working capital loans and lines of credit. Maturities greater than a year and less than seven years is a typical long-term loan. Equipment and real estate loans can have maturity up to 25 years. Major business expenses such as purchasing real estate and facilities, durable equipment, construction, vehicles, furniture and fixtures, etc. are a few purposes for long-term loans.
When considering a loan request, what do banks look for?
The bank official who reviews the loan request is focused on repayment. Most loan officers request a copy of your business credit report to determine your ability to repay. The lending officer will consider the following issues while using the information you provided and the credit report: Have you invested at least 25% or 50% of savings or personal equity into the business for the loan you are requesting? (Keep in mind that 100% of your business will not be financed by an investor.) Do your work history, your credit report and letters of recommendation show a healthy record of credit worthiness? This is a key factor. Do you have the training and experience necessary to operate a successful business? Do your loan proposal and business plan document your knowledge of and dedication to the success of the business? Is the cash flow of the business sufficient to make the monthly payments on the requested loan?
What do I need to include in a good loan proposal?
The following main points should be contained in a good loan proposal: General Information Reason for the loan: the exact purpose of the loan and why it is necessary. Amount needed: the specific amount needed to reach your goal. Business name and address, names of officers and their social security numbers. Description of Business Describe the type of business you have, its age, current business assets, and number of employees. Structure of ownership: describe the legal structure of the company. Management Profile Prepare a short statement that is focused on each principal in your business; give details about education, background, accomplishments and skills. Market Information State clearly the products of your company as well as its markets. Name the competition and explain how you plan to compete in the market. Describe what the business will do to satisfy the needs of its customers. Financial Information Submit your own personal financial statements as well as those of the principal business owners. Financial statements: the income statements and balance sheets for the past three years. If you have a new business, provide the projected balance sheet and income statement. Specify the collateral that you are able and willing to give as security for the loan.
GETTING A LOAN -
What are the advantages of prepaying a mortgage, and should I if I can?
It is highly recommended that you prepay as much of your mortgage as possible every month, which will drastically reduce the total amount that you pay. However there are times where this could be disadvantageous. If you are in a situation where you don't have funds to cover three to six months of expenses, it is recommended that you save that amount before you pay additional amounts on your mortgage. If you have a large amount of credit card debt, over the long run, you will save more money by knocking down those high interest loans first. There also may be times where that money would be more wisely invested in the market, depending on the expected rate of return versus how much you would save in early payments.
Should I refinance?
In order to refinance your home, the current market rate should be at least 2 percentage points lower than what you are paying on your mortgage. Speak with a lender to see what rate you may be able to get. Remember to factor in costs like appraisals, points from the lender, and others, which may not be apparent in your initial price assessment. After assessing that cost, get a quote of what your total payment would be after refinancing. The simplest way to find out how long it will take to recover the refinancing costs will be to divide your closing costs by the monthly savings with your new monthly payment. Also take into consideration how long you plan on holding your home. It may not make sense to refinance the home if you plan on selling in the near future.
Does borrowing against my securities make sense?
This could be a low-cost option for borrowing but there is some risk involved. Deductions are not allowed for the interest unless that loan is used to invest in a business.
Can a Home Equity Line of Credit be beneficial?
A home equity line of credit is a form of credit which allows you to borrow and use your home as collateral. Since for many, a home is their greatest asset, they tend to use these sorts of credit lines for large things like a college education for their children, medical expenses or for large unexpected bills as opposed to luxuries or day to day expenses. After receiving a home equity line, one is approved for an amount of credit, or a maximum that may be borrowed at any given time for the duration of the plan. On many occasions a lender will set a credit limit on a home equity loan by setting a percentage, after considering the amount of the appraised value of the home and the amount owed on the home. After the line of credit is approved, you will be able to borrow up to the set limit, usually in the form of checks. In some instances a borrower may be given credit cards to utilize, sometimes with minimum spending requirements.
What costs are associated?
The costs associated with getting a home equity loan are basically the same as a refinance. Appraisal A non-refundable application fee Up front points, which equal one percent of the entire credit limit Closing costs, which are the same as the closing costs you would pay upon purchasing a home Yearly fees and the possibility a transaction fee per draw
How can you lock in an interest rate?
After choosing a lender, you may be quoted a rate, which may "float" until the actual closing, meaning that it is not guaranteed. With a lock-in you are guaranteed that the interest rate will not change before your closing. You may want to ask for an agreement that ensures that your rate is capped, but allows you to take advantage of a lower rate if the rate lowers before your close. There is usually a time limit that a lender will put on this guarantee, and if you don't close before that time, they no longer have to honor that lock-in. It is recommended that you stay in close contact with your loan officer during the process to ensure that you are able to close in a timely manner and get the locked-in rate.
What disclosures should I get from my lender?
The lender is obligated by the Truth in Lending Act to provide you with a written statement with a list of all of the costs associated with the loan and the terms of financing.
How does a reverse mortgage work?
A reverse mortgage is a way for you to take advantage of some of the equity that is currently tied up in your home. A reverse mortgage works in the same manner as a normal one, reversed, and the homeowner is paid monthly versus having to pay. The major difference between this and a home equity loan is that you aren't required to pay anything back to the lender as long as you retain ownership of the home. The major benefit of a reverse mortgage is that it allows homeowners to take advantage of some of the equity that they have built up in their homes without the burden of having to pay it back in monthly payments. This could be used to supplement income, defray the cost of medical aid, pay for college education, stop a foreclosure, or make it possible to retire. When the homeowner sells the home or dies, the home must be paid off and, if sold, the remainder of equity is given to its rightful heirs.
Is any loan interest tax deductible?
These interests are deductible, some fully, some partially ...
Can you stop paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Usually people that make a down payment of less than 20% are required to pay private mortgage insurance by their lender. Once you reach 20% equity, PMI is cancelled, and any money accrued in your escrow account towards it will be credited to you.
Can you stop paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Usually people that make a down payment of less than 20% are required to pay private mortgage insurance by their lender. Once you reach 20% equity, PMI is cancelled, and any money accrued in your escrow account towards it will be credited to you.
LOAN FAQ
What are the possible implications if I co-sign for a loan?
The co-signer enters an agreement to be responsible for the repayment of the loan if the borrower defaults.
How can I ensure that I get the best possible rates on my loans?
Be careful when signing up for a home equity loan or line of credit - the disclosed APR does not reflect the total fees that are associated with the loan, such as closing costs and others.
Is it better to get a home equity line of credit or a traditional second mortgage?
With a second mortgage you will have a fixed amount of money that is repayable over a fixed period of time or is due in full at a given time. A home equity line of credit, on the other hand, is much more open-ended. You have a line of credit that can be borrowed from as you wish, and generally has a variable rate as opposed to a fixed rate. Pay attention to the fact then when the APR is calculated it takes into account the interest rate charged plus points, finance charges and other fees, whereas with a home equity line the APR is calculated with solely the periodic interest rate.
What will the loan cost?
Before you are charged any fees, the Truth in Lending Act requires that the lenders disclose to you all pertinent terms of the agreement: the APR, payment terms, other charges, and any information about variable interest. Generally you will receive these disclosures at the same time that you receive an application form and any additional disclosures promptly after. If any of the terms change prior to the loan closing, the lender must return all fees that have been applied, should you choose to back out of the deal. The finance charge is the total amount paid in exchange for the use of credit, which includes the interest rate, service charges and insurance premiums. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the percentage paid on a yearly basis.
BANK ACCOUNTS FAQ
How do ATM transactions work?
There are a variety of electronic transactions one can execute: ATMs allow you to bank electronically, get cash, make deposits, pay bills, or transfer funds between accounts. These machines are used with a debit or ATM card and a personal identification number. Point of Sale Transactions. Some ATM cards and debit cards can be used in stores to charge merchandise. Money is electronically drawn from your account and paid to the store. Pre-authorized transfers. This is allowing for the automatic deposit of fund or withdrawal of funds to or from your account. For example, one can authorize the direct deposit of wages, social security, or dividends directly to their account. You can also pre-authorize your bank to make automatic transfers for bill paying. Telephone transfers. You can transfer funds from one of your accounts to the other, or order bill payments over the phone. Most ATMs provide you with a receipt for the transaction, as do point of sale purchases. These receipts are the records of your electronic transactions and should be kept. Additionally, your periodic bank statement will show all the electronic transfers performed. This monthly statement is your proof of payment to another party and is your record for tax and other purposes. Any inconsistencies can be taken up with your bank.
What should I do if I find an error on an EFT or ATM transaction?
Call your bank as soon as possible, or within 60 days of the error. They may ask you to submit your account information and the alleged error in writing. Generally they have 10 business days to investigate the error, and if they fail to come up with an answer your funds should be reimbursed. If the funds in questions were withdrawn from a point-of-service debit or a foreign electronic transfer, the bank may be allowed more time to investigate the error. In the meantime, however, you should have full access to the funds in question. Your bank should notify you immediately of their findings. If you were correct about the error, they must immediately finalize the re-credit to your account. If there was no error, they must present in writing the findings of their investigation, and notify you of any funds they have deducted after you had been re-credited.
What should I do if I find an error on an EFT or ATM transaction?
Call your bank as soon as possible, or within 60 days of the error. They may ask you to submit your account information and the alleged error in writing. Generally they have 10 business days to investigate the error, and if they fail to come up with an answer your funds should be reimbursed. If the funds in questions were withdrawn from a point-of-service debit or a foreign electronic transfer, the bank may be allowed more time to investigate the error. In the meantime, however, you should have full access to the funds in question. Your bank should notify you immediately of their findings. If you were correct about the error, they must immediately finalize the re-credit to your account. If there was no error, they must present in writing the findings of their investigation, and notify you of any funds they have deducted after you had been re-credited.
What if my ATM card is lost or stolen?
It's important to note the difference in how you will be reimbursed for credit cards vs. ATM or debit cards. For a credit card your loss is limited to $50. However, for an ATM or debit card the loss is limited to $50 if you notify your institution within 2 business days after the card is lost or stolen. Keep in mind that the loss could be up to $500 if you do not tell your bank within two business days of the loss or theft. If you do not report unauthorized transfers within 60 days of your statement being mailed to you, you run the risk of having unlimited loss on transfers made after the 60 days.
Can I use my ATM card abroad?
Yes, there are plenty of ATMs all around the world, but it is wise to check beforehand. With Visa and MasterCard, you can pinpoint ATM locations worldwide on their website. Often it is a good idea to travel with an ATM card because you can withdraw foreign currencies at a better exchange rate, and also if you lose your card and report it promptly you will not experience the type of losses you would with cash. Be wary of fees your bank will charge you for each withdrawal - it may be wise to withdraw larger sums to minimize the frequency of transactions.
How do I know when a pre-authorized credit has been deposited into my account?
Your institution may notify your employer, or you. Many times your bank may only notify the recipient if a scheduled credit does not come through. Often, you can check your statement online or call your bank to check on your credits.
How do I cancel a pre-authorized payment?
You can call or write your bank, or often stop the payment by going to your bank's website. Do this at least 3 days before the scheduled payment. It is a good idea to request a written confirmation of giving a telephone notice to stop the transfer.