| |
| |
|
Loans Information |
|
|
|
Is a Microloan Right for You?
If you've been tossing around an idea for a small business, but wondering where you'll find the money you need to get started, perhaps you should consider a microloan. Microloans are ideal for getting a new business off the ground. A microloan can also provide an infusion of cash to help an existing small business grow. The term "microloan" refers to a business loan smaller than most banks care to process, often to a borrower no bank would consider. The term came into vogue during the 1980's, as funders began to realize that $200 loaned to a cooperative of women in a third world country could empower those women to start a business capable of supporting their families. In the United States, a microloan is usually between $2,000 and $35,000. Most microloans in this country are made by non-profit organizations funded by the Small Business Administration, a government agency. The SBA established a pilot program for microloans in 1992, and the program was made permanent in 1997. To date, more than $112 million has been made available to small businesses under the microloan program. Virtually any kind of small business can apply for a microloan. The form of the business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, is not a determining factor. Non-profit daycare centers are also eligible to apply. Loan funds can be allocated as working capital. The funds can also be used to purchase inventory, supplies, furnishings, fixtures, machinery or equipment. The one restriction is that the funds may not be used to purchase or make a down payment on real estate. Perfect credit is not necessary, although the credit requirements vary according to the requirements of the lender. Often lenders require collateral, but may be very flexible in terms of what they accept as collateral. For example, a lender may accept jewelry, office equipment, or used cars to collateralize the loan. Interest rates vary, but they are usually slightly higher than rates for conventional bank loans. Terms vary according to the size of the loan, the planned use of the funds, the requirement of the intermediary lender, and the needs of the borrower. The maximum term for repayment is six years. One of the real benefits of securing a microloan has nothing to do with the money. The non-profits that serve as intermediary lenders also provide a significant level of management training and coaching. For example, a lender may require a prospective borrower to participate in a class and receive assistance in writing a business plan. Another benefit is speed. The process of applying, qualifying for, and obtaining a microloan usually ranges between a few days and three weeks, depending upon the amount of funds needed, the procedures employed by the lender, and the degree of preparation on the part of the borrower. To speed the process along, it's a good idea to assemble as much paperwork as possible in advance. Borrowers should be prepared to provide tax returns, financial statements for existing businesses, bank account records, and proof of collateral. To find out about lenders in your area, you can phone 1-800-U ASK SBA. Or use the following link to get a list of lenders nationwide: http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Microloan-Lender-Participants 2003 - 2005 © Jillian Coleman Wheeler Jillian Coleman Wheeler is a Grants and Business Consultant. Her website, http://www.GrantMeRich.com, is a resource site for entrepreneurs, grant writers and consultants, and offers online training for grants consultants. She is also author of The New American Land Rush: How to Buy Real Estate with Government Money. For information: http://www.NewAmericanLandRush.com You may reprint this article, if you credit the author and include this resource box. Please notify the author of publication information: jillian@grantmerich.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Loans - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Parent Loans or Student Loans - What is Going to be Best for My Child? Parent Loans or Student Loans - what is going to be best for my child?At least 20% of college students need some type of loan to help pay for their college education. Such a statistic can lead to students graduating with an unmanageable debt load. Alternative Ways to Avoid Payday Loan If you spend more than you earn on a regular basis, it is a bad practice. To overcome this situation, if you opt for a payday loan, it will be a "risky solution". Guide to Secured Personal Loans Here is a useful guide to secured personal loans. A secured personal loan is the generic term for a loan. Be Wary of Guaranteeing a Loan You need to be wary of guaranteeing a loan. What would you do if a friend or relative asked you to guarantee a loan? You would probably like to help them by agreeing to guarantee the loan but consider your actions carefully first and make sure you understand what it involves. Shopping for a Personal Loan Most Internet users are now extremely comfortable using the Internet to research and buy items that we need, mainly because we know that e-tailers probably have the lowest prices and we can avoid heavy sales pitches and crowded stores.This is most evident in financial services where banks have used the channel effectively although there could be hidden charges and pricing that may make your new bargain personal loan or credit card not quite so much of a bargain. Fast Cash Now Easier Than Ever, but at a Price? Because of the Internet, quick payday loans are faster than ever before. Quick payday loans will really get you out of a fix, because quick payday loans arrive the next day, right at your doorstep, in amounts ranging from five hundred dollars to three thousand dollars. Bad, Credit, Student, Loans - Disjointed They Don't Make Sense - Join Them and See the Possibilities The day you stop learning is the day when you start decreasing your rewards. Learning is a constructive effort - who knows it better than student. What is an Unsecured Loan? An unsecured loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments. UK Student Loans Explained Student loans seem to be the only feasible way out to pursue higher studies for the average student in UK. Things become all the more difficult for those without university funding. Let Us Uncover The Mystery Of Secured Loans Okay, so one day you wake up and realize that you are far away from understanding your finances, let alone managing them. Finances are a gamble where you ought to win. How to Find a Cheap Debt Consolidation Loan If you're shopping around for a cheap debt consolidation loan, then you're going to want to try to find the one that has the lowest interest rate that you can get. The interest that you pay will depend largely on the collateral that you can offer to secure your cheap debt consolidation loan, as well as your credit history and the amount that you want to borrow. Christmas Loans - A Gift on the Occasion of Christmas It is still a few weeks to Christmas and every one is already up with demands. Little Mary, ever eager to add to her collection of dolls, wants the latest in the Barbie series. A Guide to Finding Fast Homeowner Loans Sometimes finding fast homeowner loans can seem impossible? no matter what you do, it seems like traditional lenders such as banks and finance companies take way too long to process loan applications.Fast homeowner loans can be had, however? the hardest part is finding out where to look. Online Payday Loans Offer Quick or Instant Approval For a Fast Cash Loan Online payday loans companies offer quick approval with their online application process. Once you have entered your personal information and source of income, you can be approved for a payday loan in as little as five minutes, and a cash advance can be deposited in your checking account the next day. What Are VA Loans? VA loans are basically mortgages or home loans geared towards ex-military servicemen and women. The VA loan programme was created in 1944, and was initially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, to help returning servicemen settle down and purchase their first home. What is a Homeowner Loan? A Homeowner Loan is a way of using the equity tied up in your property to raise money. Equity is the difference between the value of your home and your outstanding mortgage. No Faxing Cash Advance Loans - 3 Reasons to Use A No Fax Payday Loan Company No fax payday loan companies save you time with your application, grant instant approvals, and allow access to easy cash. Faxless applications eliminate the review by personal by relying on databases. How To Easily Find A Military Loan Military members the price for serving your country and defending freedom is difficult, fortunately finding the right loan to fit your situation doesn't have to be when you know where to look. Finding a loan provider that understands the pressures and time constraints that many military members are currently going through can be difficult and downright depressing. Faxless Payday & Cash Advance Loans - Fast Cash, No Faxing Loans, The Easiest Payday Loan Process If you are in a hurry for a payday loan, the last thing you want to have to do is fax in your documents of verification. That's no problem, nowadays, you can find many payday loan or cash advance loan companies that can verify your income and identification without you having to fax in any documents. What Type of Loan Do You Need? There are many types of loans available to consumers. There is no shortage of people willing to lend money to qualified individuals.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
