Business and Finance News

Much like our discussion regarding unsecured business loans, this article will focus on business loans that are primarily secured by the cash flow of your business or your personal income. When looking for a business loan, it is imperative to understand how much of a business loan you can afford to undertake. This includes not only your current income, but also a projection of your anticipated income that will accrue through the use of debt proceeds. The most important aspect is to look at your current income. This is also the most important business metric that a bank or finance company will look at when determining whether or not you are a worthy credit risk. Actual income is far more important than expected income. With that said, you need to ask yourself some very important questions when determining the amount of debt you are seeking. These questions include, but are not limited to:

What is my current income?
Will my current income fluctuate?
How much do I anticipate that I will earn once I use the proceeds of the business loan?
If this business does not work out, can I afford to continue to pay off the loan given my current income?

When a bank looks at an existing business that is looking for a  business loan – they primarily focus on your businesses previous ability to generate positive cash flow. This is because banks want to know to be well aware of your current ability to repay any business loan that they grant to you. It should be noted, that in most circumstances, your business loan’s interest is deductible as a business expense. However, the principal of the loan is not. This must be paid out of your after-tax cash flow. This is why, especially for small businesses, the cash flow statement is extremely important. Again, if you are having issues making these determinations then it is imperative that you speak to your certified public accountant. Your CPA can assist you greatly in making a determination of your business loan needs, your ability to repay the loan, and your ability to secure a loan based on your current personal and business income.