We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
How We Make Money.
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate
us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this
site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear
within the listing categories. But this compensation does not
influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on
this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial
offers that may be available to you.
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions.
While we adhere to strict
,
this post may contain references to products from our partners.
Here’s an explanation for
Editorial Integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that
we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the
right financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with
accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards
in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters
thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information
you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our
advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not
receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader.
Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart
personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure
that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our
editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers,
and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So,
whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that
you’re getting credible and dependable information.
How We Make Money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have
been helping you master your money for over four decades. We
continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and
tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that
our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the
right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our
advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content,
competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we
make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher
and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for
placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking
on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation
may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at
your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and
where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a
wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about
every financial or credit product or service.
Which bank should I choose?
Get personalized bank recommendations in 3 easy steps.
Before you apply for any kind of small business loan — be it with the Small Business Administration, or SBA, a bank, or even family or friends — be prepared by gathering up all your bookkeeping, financial and other records. It will make the business loan application process less stressful and more likely to be approved by the lender.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Personal credit report. This is not for lenders, who can obtain this information on their own, but for you. Know your credit rating from one of the three major credit-reporting companies: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Once you get your credit report, make sure you dispute any errors, and be prepared to explain the reasons for late payments or defaults on your history.
Business credit report. Just like your personal credit history, it’s important to look this over and correct any errors before you apply for a small business loan.
Loan application form. Get this from the lender and fill it out completely. The questions on the form will vary from lender to lender, but basically questions include: Why do you need a small business loan? What are your plans for the money? What other business debt/creditors do you have?
Business financial documents. Gather up your past tax returns (previous three years), one year of bank statements, a balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Business legal documents. Not all lenders require this kind of detailed documentation, but have it handy just in case:
Any legal contracts with third parties.
Licenses, registrations.
Articles of incorporation.
Lease agreements.
Taxpayer ID number (proof of).
Equipment inventory (with serial numbers).
Collateral (cost/value of business — and personal — property that you plan to use to secure the loan).
Proof of insurance for any collateral property or items.
Gather all this information in one place to get it ready before you submit your small business loan application. You will have it at the ready — and create less stress and anxiety for yourself — if your lender requests it. But, remember, keep the process simple by only giving your lender the specific paperwork requested.
Share