Smarter Loans Inc. is not a lender. Smarter.loans is an independent comparison website that provides information on lending and financial companies in Canada. We work hard to give you the information you need to make smarter decisions about a financial company or product that you might be considering. We may receive compensation from companies that we work with for placement of their products or services on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of products & companies listed on our website, it does not influence our evaluation of those products. Please do not interpret the order in which products appear on Smarter Loans as an endorsement or recommendation from us. Our website does not feature every loan provider or financial product available in Canada. We try our best to bring you up-to-date, educational information to help you decide the best solution for your individual situation. The information and tools that we provide are free to you and should merely be used as guidance. You should always review the terms, fees, and conditions for any loan or financial product that you are considering.
There are several very valid reasons for a company to open a business line of credit, since there is always a need to keep operations running smoothly no matter the nature of the business. And in today’s competitive society, a business line of credit is the norm, rather than the exception.
Although other business loan options are available, such as business credit cards, a vast majority of business owners choose to maintain a line of credit. Why have so many companies benefited from this form of financing?
The following subjects will provide the answer to this question:
Basically, a business line of credit (LOC) is a revolving loan account that businesses can access as needed. The amount of the loan is fixed; however, because it is a revolving loan, the business can recycle the money as the balance is paid down. The available amount rises with each payment.
A business line of credit can serve as an uninterrupted capital supply to fill in any missing pieces for profitable day to day operations. Business owners often rely on a line of credit to take advantage of a great price on inventory, upgrade equipment, or tide the business over in a pinch. While it should never be used as a means to bring a failing business back to life, a business line of credit can be the bridge needed while waiting for expected profits.
A business line of credit differs from a business loan. A business loan is also approved for a certain amount, but the business receives the amount approved in one lump sum. Each month, the payment goes toward paying off the loan, plus interest. Once the loan is paid in full, the contract ends. A business loan is often used to make a specific purchase such as a vehicle, building or equipment.
Although a business line of credit may seem similar to a business credit card, there are distinct differences between the two, such as:
Two basic lines of credit are available to businesses. They are secured and unsecured business credit lines. Both types offer comparable features such as a revolving line of credit and access to cash when needed. The distinct differences between the two are:
-A secured business line of credit falls into the same category as secured loans, such as auto loans and home mortgages. Lenders ask for some type of security as a guarantee of repayment. For a business, security can be assets such as equipment, but lenders usually ask for inventory or accounts receivables as collateral.
-An unsecured business line of credit is approved without the need for assets or property for security. Businesses with a higher credit rating are mostly approved for this credit line since the risk for the lender is higher. Interest rates tend to be higher (and the credit line lower) for unsecured business lines of credit.
When a business line of credit is opened, as much or as little of the available funds can be used as the business owner sees fit. A monthly statement will reflect the amount of credit that has been used, in addition to interest on that amount. The minimum payment amount and interest are based on the amount of credit used, not the amount of credit available. The credit limit and interest rate depend on several factors, such as:
In addition to the monthly payment plus interest, other expenses a business can incur with a line of credit are an annual fee and transaction fees, if there are a large number of cash advances on the credit line.
Businesses that have an established business credit profile and high personal credit score are more likely to be approved for a business line of credit from a traditional lender. However, there are institutions that will do so for a business with bad credit. Business owners can apply for a business line of credit at the following institutions:
The limit for a business line of credit will run from about $5,000 to ten times that amount or more. Businesses with a well documented record of profitability are more like to qualify for higher limits with lower interest and fees.
The application process for a business LOC is relatively straightforward. Like any loan application, gathering the paperwork needed ahead of time helps speed up the process and avoids mistakes in the application. In getting ready to apply, the business owner should have on hand:
The lender is trying to make sure the business is asking for funding for a company that is growing (and not a failing or failed business venture). Therefore, they will not offer a business line of credit to a start up business. They also take a look at whether the money is needed to meet immediate expenses not related to profits, or if it is needed to cover loss. Either of these uses can also be the basis of a denial.
The more a business owner knows about a business line of credit, the better the chances of a mutually successful transaction. All too often, the difference between approval, denial, or paying less interest and fees can be just a small tidbit of information. Below are some quick tips for a handy reference.
For businesses that need finances to cover temporary cash flow issues, or want to take advantage of an immediate business opportunity, a business line of credit is an ideal solution. They are also an excellent go-to resource to use for financing marketing campaigns to generate extra revenue for the business. The flexibility of a business line of credit also provides a financial safety net for the business that will be available right on time.
