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What is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan?

Written by: David

Article Overview: As a new entrepreneur looking for capital, one of your first options for a loan will be a SBA-backed loan. SBA loan applications are made through a bank. The SBA guarantees a loan to the bank, so in case the borrower defaults, the bank is guaranteed a portion of the loan by the SBA. (You are still liable for the loan, so your obligation does not go away) This makes it easier for banks to lend to budding entrepreneurs, but it does not mean that the bank can lend indiscriminately. The bank will analyze the application to protect its interest as well as the SBA’s.

What is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan?

What is a SBA Loan?

As a new entrepreneur looking for capital, one of your first options for a loan will be a SBA-backed loan. SBA loan applications are made through a bank. The SBA guarantees a loan to the bank, so in case the borrower defaults, the bank is guaranteed a portion of the loan by the SBA. (You are still liable for the loan, so your obligation does not go away) This makes it easier for banks to lend to budding entrepreneurs, but it does not mean that the bank can lend indiscriminately. The bank will analyze the application to protect its interest as well as the SBA’s.

The SBA does not lend directly to the business owner. It is important that the bank you are working with is knowledgeable about SBA loans, as it will initially process your application, not the SBA. The SBA will review the application once the bank approves it.

What will the bank look for in your application?

· Good Credit Score. This is a very important factor in the consideration for a loan, but not the only one. If your score is not good right now, work on improving it. Although good credit is a key factor for getting a loan, is not the only factor. If you don’t have perfect credit, you can mitigate it by providing a thorough business plan, collateral, a higher co-investment in the project, a cosigner, etc. You will have to explain any outstanding issues with your credit. Moreover, lenders have different appetite for risk (large commercial banks are usually more conservative), so you may be able to find a lender that will work with you.

· Collateral (security for loan). In some cases a good credit score and down payment are enough to secure a loan. However depending on the amount of the loan, you may also have to offer collateral. You can use your house, stocks, or any other major possession as collateral if the bank requires security in the event you cannot pay back the loan.

· Experience. The relevant experience of the business owner is an important factor for the loan package. Banks feel more confident in giving out a loan to business owners who have relevant experience in the business that they are starting, such as a dentist opening a private practice.

· Owner’s Investment. If you are forming a new business, be prepared to invest a certain portion of the start-up costs personally. Lenders rarely finance 100% of the business. They will expect you to raise 20 to 40% of the investment yourself. The higher your personal investment in the business, the better the loan application looks to the lender.

· Good Business Concept or Plan. A good business concept that is believable and relatively conservative. Lenders are conservative organizations that do not like to take large risks.

· Capacity to Manage and Pay. The business should be able to generate enough cash to pay back the loan installments.

· Guarantees. The lender will look at how the loan can be secured. He or she will give importance to the individual’s personal financial statement and see if the loan can be secured against personal or business assets.

When applying for a loan and writing a business plan, make sure your financial projections are correct. Do your research. Know your business. It is surprising to see the number of entrepreneurs who do not pay enough attention to the financial aspect of the business. Paying close attention to the financial details will determine whether your business will survive.

Although most banks want to help entrepreneurs fund and expand their businesses, their primary responsibility is to make money from the loans and minimize their risk. Just because you have a great idea and are motivated to see it through, you may not get a loan. In fact, banks are very careful with innovation; they are conservative institutions that tend to lend to “tried-and-true” businesses. Whenever you submit your business proposal, always ask yourself, “What would make this a good deal for the bank? What assurances (aside from my good credit and great idea) can I give to the bank so it will get its money back plus interest?”

Guideye.com is a resource for starting, operating and financing a small business. The site offers step-by-step guides for forming a company, financing information, Taxes, Insurance, Business Plans and other operational concerns. The site also includes useful resources for entrepreneurs.

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These maybe the coldest franchises out there: - Here are the worst 15 performing franchises in regards to having the highest Small Business Administration (SBA) loan failure rates. The list is dotted with sub sandwich shops, fitness centers and car shops. WORST FRANCHISE LOAN FAILURES Failure % 1 OBEE'S SOUP SALAD SUBS 55.56% 2 LADY OF AMERICA 41.94% 3 COUNTRY CLUTTER (BED & BREAKFAST) 41.18% 4 COPY CLUB 36.36% 5 ALL TUNE AND LUBE 35.71% 6 PICKERMAN'S 35.71% 7 PHILLY CONNECTION 35.59% 8 ROLY POLY ROLLED SANDWICHES 34.78% 9 COTTMAN TRANSMISSION 34.48% 10 HAIR COLOR EXPRESS 33.33% 11 LEE MYLES AUTOMOTIVE TRANSMISSIONS 33.33% 12 GODFATHER'S PIZZA 33.33% 13 SMOOTHIE FACTORY 33.33% 14 BLIMPIE 31.39% 15 GOLF U.S.A. (RETAIL GOLF EQUIP.) 30.77% Source: Small Business Administration, SBA Loan Performance Within Franchise Code for the Period of FY 2001 - 2005
Resources within the government - One of the first things I did as I started up was to take a few classes offered by the Small Business Administration. I'm not sure if Nigeria offers similar services, but people from the United States can tap into those resources pretty easily. The classes offered a business planning template, time to start your plan and great advice from other entrepreneurs. Best of luck!
My entry - 1. The Best Business Books Ever: The 100 Most Influential Business Books You'll Never Have Time to Read - this is a fascinating book about the history of Business theory, and I'd recommend it to anybody. 2. The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants, by Tom Gegax. Ditto. 3. PADI: The Business of Diving Book Okay, so this book won't be of use to anyone who doesn't want to start a scuba store, but I did, and this book was of course invaluable to me in reaching that goal.
canada resources - I used to have a connection to a franchise consultant in Canada at "Franchise Officer" in Toronto. I wish I could remember his name ( but I can check my files at the office tomorrow). Anyway, he had a lot of connections to banks in Canada. He may know of them and may be able to offer some feedback. If you are looking for a business loan, Canada has similar business loan programs to that of the USA's Small Business Administration (SBA). I think its SLBS in Cananda, and I probably have the list of it's lenders in my office also. Do you think either can be helpful? If so, I can get back to you with this information tomorrow. Let me know!
re: restaurant start-up - I'm not sure about government grants for restaurants, but my recommendation would be to approach a lender that offers loans under the Canadian Small Business Financing Loan program where the government will guarantee 85% of the loan. You can borrow up to $250,000 to finance equipment and renovations under this program. Restaurants are very risky business, however some of the Chartered Banks will look at restaurants if there is enough of an initial equity investment and you have a solid business plan (experienced management team, good concept and strategic location).


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