What You Need to Know About Business Credit and Covid Relief
If you are the owner of a small business owner, you might find that you occasionally have issues with your cash flow. One option you have is to open a business line of credit. There are advantages to this, of course, but it’s important that you keep some things in mind.
Understand the Difference Between Secured and Unsecured
One thing you should know is that you need to know the difference between the types of credit lines. There are both secured and unsecured lines. Secured lines are those that are secured by your company’s assets. If you default, the lender now owns these assets. An unsecured line of credit does not require collateral.
Look at Fees
You also want to take a look at fees. Interest is always going to be part of a loan, but there might be other fees that you can come across. If you access your line of credit time after time, those fees will add up. You might also have some maintenance fees to deal with.
Consider Bank Drawdowns
If there are times of economic uncertainty, the lender might require borrowers to pay back the balance of their credit. They can do this because it’s in the small print, and if you sign the loan agreement, you allow them to do it.
Understand Interest Rate Variability
Most interest rates are variable, and they are based on the prime lending rate. If your interest rate rises, your payment will be higher, and you might find that it’s hard to pay it back.
Think About Insuring Your Line of Credit
You also might want to consider insuring your line of credit. This can help to cover any payments if you become ill, injured, or die.
Understand how to get the Best Line of Credit
There are many lenders giving lines of credit, so it’s important that you do your research before signing on the dotted line. You also might want to look at any borrowing limits and take a close look at the repayment terms.
Get Help from the Small Business Administration
Finally, especially during the Covid pandemic, consider looking to the Small Business Administration for help. They have a plan in place that helps you to obtain credit, though they don’t lend directly. They offer programs like Lender Match, which takes a look at your business and matches you with lenders offering lines of credit that will fit your needs.
ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, CEO of CreditParent.com, the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity and Personal Protection security awareness training program.
