What is the best loan for your business?

A business venture in the modern world offers the potential for incredible rewards. It also carries lots of risks. For example, a business loan can help smooth over any potential issues and make your business venture work out long term.

Bank Loan

As the name states, a bank loan is a loan directly from your bank. Bank loans have many advantages for your small business. This type of loan often has a streamlined process in place well before you apply. Many lenders also have lots of access to business funds for your small business. At the same time, such loans can also take longer than other kinds of loans. That might leave you without the cash you need when you are most in need of it.

Personal Loans

Personal loans are based on loans that use your existing assets as collateral. As those at Lantern by SoFi explain to their clients, “For upstarts and solo entrepreneurs, personal loans can help when you’re just getting started.” Business owners can easily compare small business loans and see which one carries a lower interest rate and the kind of terms you like best.

SBA Loan

Another terrific option for any small business owner is an SBA loan. At Lantern by SoFI, they point out this type of loan “Includes SMA 7(a), 504, and SBA Express loans.” These are loans that the government backs up. This kind of loan aims to help people who run a small business meet their expenses and expand into new markets.

Business Line of Credit

If you have a thriving business and need more cash to make it work better, turning to a business line of credit is often a perfect option. There are a lot of advantages to this form of funding. First, it’s one way to have flexible amounts of cash on hand when you need them. 

The money can be accessed as needed to help with any issue running your business. It also allows you to fill in any temporary gaps in your cash flow and stay on top of them. Keep in mind this type of loan has a high interest rate, so that it may be only a short term solution.

Equipment Financing

As a business owner, you have the equipment you use for that business in many cases. That’s why you can take out a loan against the value of your current equipment. This is one way to make the most of what you have on hand right now and use it to help you further expand into lots of new potential business sectors. Like other kinds of loans, this business loan may have costs involved as you take it out and once you make use of the funds.

If you own a business right now, access to a business loan keeps your business in good shape.