Business Loans are one of the most important tools that can aid a business to further scale up, there are thousands of businesses who have potential to scale but are struggling due to lack of capital. You may be already successful or be a growing business regardless you will need more capital to meet your expenses and to purchase raw materials, machinery or for working capital requirements.
Having a cash reserve always helps in facing unexpected challenges in business. Cash flow is a must for a business on any given day and business loans could be a massive help to help in having cash flow. But with many sources and types of business loan options available, it could get tricky for one to decide whom to approach and what to choose from. Here let us help you by sharing more information.
Features of Business Loans
The system of business loans has evolved significantly in recent years. Here's a closer look at some of the main features that make business loans a unique proposition.
One of the common challenges that would block the road for an entrepreneur who is trying to pull his business further was the requirement for collateral to be submitted in exchange for Business Loans which is kind of hypocritical in nature as instead of eradicating the problem it invites a new problem to solve for the business owner. Yes, Traditionally, securing a business loan often meant putting up collateral – assets like property or equipment – that the lender could seize from you in case if you fail to pay back the loan amount on agreed upon time. This would scare away borrowers in fear of losing their business and assets at the same time. This is where smart NBFCs saw the gap and entered the market to address this Gap and help business owners with the introduction of unsecured business loans. It has been a game changer and the number of borrowers from MSME sector has drastically increased with this attractive feature which was introduced by NBFCs and have led them to comfortably find their own share of the business lending market share.
Competitive Interest Rates
Another important feature of a business loan is the interest rate. The interest rates have only gone up along with inflation percentages which are also on the rise due to various economical factors. But for an entrepreneur all these economical changes are not important, instead how much interest he/she have to pay from their pockets is what matters, lower the interest better value for their existence and development.
With interest rates on the rise in 2024, securing a loan with a competitive interest rate is more important than ever. The good news is that increased competition among lenders has driven down interest rates for qualified borrowers. You as an MSME business person should compare between NBFCs who have reducing interest rates from initial months against banks who may have lower rates in comparison but comes with need of collateral etc. At the end of the day what works for you for your one of a kind situation should be your deciding factor.
Time is very expensive and is important for every single business. Running behind lenders to get your application for loan approval is never productive. So approaching lenders like NBFCs who have the track record of quicker turnaround time in loan approvals and disbursements should be an obvious choice if you are looking at quick loan approvals for saving costs. Online loan application and status approvals are a no-brainer and fintechs have adopted such processes in their respective systems to make it very easy and comfortable for the borrowers.
The lenders have become smarter and have understood the need of diversification in business loans products as well. They have learned that one option won't sit well with their potential customers as the needs are different for many. This has led to them coming up with unique Business loan options that give the borrower options to chose from based on their specific requirements. This step is mostly adopted by NBFCs rather than banks or other lenders. The result of this has shown the flock of MSME owners to NBFCs to loan and slowly banks are also trying to turn their track to adapt to this refreshing change within the lending ecosystem. The flexible loan terms, schedules, loan amount, interest rates ect also have reduced the burden for borrowers and now could actually be called Flexible.
The options within the MSME loan category is bigger than it ever has been, period. From long term to short term loans, machinery loans for new and used machinery, loans for manufacturing businesses, loans on GST registration, Loans for working capital management and traditional business loans, Lines of credit, business credit cards, etc etc are few of the many diverse options that are now catering to MSMEs. One of the best among these options are loans catering exclusively to women entrepreneurs which is yet only cracked by very few NBFC players in the market. Immediate access to capital is the problem and hopefully the diversification is really helping in fixing it as early as possible effectively.
This is the most important step to be considered in terms of relevancy in 2024. In terms of technology the country and world we live in has gone a lot of steps further and the industry has also ensured to keep the pace in traction to adapt and use latest tech in their processes too. Using artificial intelligence to streamline the loan application and approval process along machine learning and other tech is a welcoming change seen from NBFCs which is now also looked on by the banks. Post 2020 when the world came to a pause for a while due to unforeseen challenges a rapid change has been observed and realization of tech investment and utilization has led to movement in right direction among most lending firms as well.The digital age has transformed the way businesses access and manage their finances. Online websites and mobile apps both in android and IOS platforms have become a bare minimum expectation from the borrowers too.
With a clear understanding of the key characteristics of business loans in 2024, you're well-positioned to navigate the loan application process. Here are some essential steps to follow:
Evaluate Your Needs: Before applying for a loan, carefully assess your business needs and determine the specific amount of capital required. Consider how you plan to use the funds and ensure the loan amount aligns with your goals.
Shop Around: Don't settle for the first loan offer you receive. Compare rates, terms, and eligibility requirements from multiple lenders to secure the most favorable financing option for your business.
Prepare a Strong Application: Gather all the necessary documentation, including financial statements, business plans, and tax returns. Present a compelling case for your business, highlighting your financial stability, growth potential, and ability to repay the loan.
Seek Professional Advice: If you're unfamiliar with the loan application process or have complex financial needs, consider consulting with a financial advisor or loan specialist. They can guide you through the process, help you choose the right loan product, and ensure your application is strong.
In 2024, business loans are very much essential for scaling growing businesses and does offer a multitude of features designed to empower businesses of all sizes. From flexible terms and competitive rates to faster approvals and diverse loan options, there's a financing solution available to propel your business forward. By understanding the key characteristics of business loans and taking a strategic approach to the
