Dec 25
In the face of a growing commercial finance funding crisis, many small business owners are exploring new options for commercial financing. Credit card loans and business cash advances are two working capital financing strategies which are proving to be practical and effective sources of operating cash for commercial borrowers.
The use of credit card financing often refers to business cash advances in which working capital is obtained by business owners based upon future credit card processing activity. Alternatively the use of personal credit cards to obtain a cash advance is also referred to as a credit card loan. With business finance funding shortages, small business owners are increasingly using both approaches to obtain operating cash for their business. The two financing approaches are not equal in terms of how they are viewed by commercial financing experts although the strategies might be called by the same name occasionally.
Many commercial lenders have suddenly reduced or cancelled business lines of credit and other forms of working capital loans. In response, many business owners have been forced to rely on cash obtained via their personal credit cards to sustain their businesses. We strongly urge all commercial borrowers to review our predatory lending discussion in The Working Capital Journal in order to prepare for some of the most undesirable actions being taken by many lenders which have a substantial credit card loan exposure.
There are two particular observations we want to emphasize about small business owners using personal credit cards to obtain operating cash: (1) This really is a business financing method of last resort that should be avoided whenever possible. Before assuming that this is the only source of capital available, commercial borrowers should consult with a working capital finance expert. The possibility of business cash advances and working capital loans should be thoroughly explored. (2) This questionable method of obtaining commercial finance funding will prove to be increasingly more difficult because credit card issuers are already cutting back on their unsecured lending programs.
Like reductions in their lending programs for business lines of credit, most banks are now making similar cutbacks in credit card lending. They are reducing or cancelling credit lines even when borrowers have a superb payment record. The rationale for banks reducing both credit card lines and commercial lines of credit is similar. With unsecured commercial loans or personal loans, banks fear that massive defaults are almost inevitable due to a very shaky economy and business lending climate. Unlike residential real estate financing in which real property is pledged as collateral, banks know that they have no collateral to fall back on with working capital loans and credit card loans because they are unsecured. Many small business owners use home equity lines of credit to obtain operating cash, and these funding sources are also diminishing in most areas of the United States. Although these lending programs are backed by collateral, the value of homes in many areas has decreased to the point that many outstanding loans exceed the current property value.
One of the most disturbing and frustrating occurrences in the current difficult commercial financing environment is the lack of clear information for many business owners about which funding options are realistic and possible. This factor alone has probably led thousands of commercial borrowers to obtain operating cash from their personal credit cards when there were better alternatives.
Due to the growing tendency of several major credit card issuers to exhibit predatory lending practices, the use of personal credit card loans should be avoided. At a minimum, each business owner should contact a business finance funding expert to determine if a business cash advance program or a working capital loan program can be used to obtain needed cash.
By: Stephen Bush
Tagged with: Business Cash • Business Lines • Capital Finance • Capital Journal • Capital Loans • Commercial Borrowers • Commercial Finance • Commercial Financing • Commercial Lenders • Credit Card Loan • Credit Card Loans • Credit Card Processing • Finance Expert • Personal Credit Cards • Predatory Lending • Small Business Owners • Source Of Capital • Substantial Credit • Undesirable Actions • Working Capital
Dec 20
Church loans often suffer from several problems, and as a result specialized business finance strategies are required. Typical church financing will involve multiple difficulties.
Church loans are probably the most difficult form of commercial financing to successfully close. Churches are an integral part of local communities, so it is necessary to improve church financing solutions. In almost all cases financing will require a very specialized commercial real estate loan that is typically not widely available.
Churches are not typical commercial enterprises but they do have substantial business financing requirements. This article will offer an overview of four key church loan financing difficulties and a listing of six practical church financing strategies.
Four Major Church Financing and Business Finance Difficulties -
Before addressing possible solutions for the most common church loan needs, it is important to discuss the typical barriers to obtaining appropriate financing. Historically church financing has been difficult to arrange for several reasons:
(1) Church Loan Obstacle Number One: Church properties are unique. Lenders are therefore concerned that if commercial loan payments are not made in a timely manner and the lender is required to assume ownership of the property, it will be very difficult to find a new owner because of the unique property features.
(2) Church Financing Difficulty Number Two: Commercial lenders usually require individual guarantors for church financing, and this is inappropriate for a church loan. The financial structure of churches simply does not lend itself to a traditional lender/guarantor approach. Many commercial lenders are not comfortable with the potential lack of individual guarantors because of the difficulty of reselling the church property if negative financial circumstances occur in the future.
It is unfortunately very common for church financing to have been secured only after church members have authorized an individual guarantee for church financing. The need for individual guarantors acts as a serious barrier first because church members might be unwilling to do so and second because there might not be individuals who have enough financial resources to provide an individual guarantee for larger church financing needs.
(3) Church Financing Difficulty Number Three: When church financing is obtained, there are frequently unacceptable business finance terms such as very small loans, low loan-to-value (LTV) of 50% to 60%, short-term loans and high interest rates. These onerous terms are tantamount to the church loan being declined, and if the terms are accepted, the church is likely to experience continuing financial difficulties due to unrealistic commercial mortgage requirements.
(4) Church Financing Difficulty Number Four: Construction, renovation and land acquisition are even more difficult for churches to finance than purchases or refinancing. As a result, needed repairs are often postponed indefinitely and new churches frequently take many years to become a reality.
Six Practical Church Loan and Commercial Mortgage Solutions -
There are common-sense financing solutions for the church loan issues described above. Here is an overview of church financing that is now available from some non-traditional lenders:
(1) Church Loan Financing Approach Number One: Non-Recourse Loans (instead of guarantors). As noted above, the willingness to forego traditional guarantors does require a non-traditional lender. With this church financing approach, church lending will not depend on individual guarantors.
(2) Church Loan Solution Number Two: Long-term business loans. Church financing will be much more successful when it is long-term instead of short-term (payments will be reduced dramatically).
(3) Church Loan Solution Number Three: Low interest rates (usually a maximum of prime plus 1-2%). In reality many churches have been taken advantage of and charged excessive interest rates because lenders perceived that they did not have any other realistic options.
With payments limited to prime plus 1-2% or less, church financing payments will be noticeably reduced. In combination with longer-term loans, the overall payment reduction will make a significant contribution to church cash flow improvements.
(4) Church Loan Solution Number Four: Church loan financing minimum of $500,000. This allows churches to complete most financing in one step rather than piecemeal over a period of years.
(5) Church Loan Solution Number Five: Higher LTV (75%-90% is possible). This results in a more workable amount of 10% to 25% (rather than 40% to 50% with traditional church financing) for the down payment or non-financed portion in refinancing.
(6) Church Loan Solution Number Six: Church financing can now include new construction, renovation, land acquisition, purchase and refinancing. Due to flexible church loan financing, it is not necessary for any of these important church loan activities to be postponed.
Collectively the six church financing solutions described above should benefit a large number of churches by allowing refinancing with much better financial terms and by facilitating the construction of new churches on an accelerated timetable. The six church loan financing approaches should result in financial covenants that will contribute to the long-term financial profile of prudent churches which adhere to the church financing approaches suggested.
Regardless of the practical business finance and commercial mortgage strategies that have been described above, it is appropriate to emphasize that arranging appropriate church financing will almost always be difficult. Due to the specialized nature of a church loan, unavoidable complications with the commercial real estate financing should be anticipated. As a result, prudent church borrowers should attempt to acquire a better understanding of these complex business loan issues.
By: Stephen Bush
Tagged with: Business Financing • Church Loan • Church Loans • Commercial Financing • Commercial Lenders • Commercial Loan • Common Church • Finance Solutions • Finance Strategies • Financial Circumstances • Financial Structure • Financing Solutions • Guarantors • Key Church • Loan Financing • Membe • Property Features • Substantial Business • Typical Barriers • Typical Church
Dec 17
Most businesses which accept credit cards can obtain a business cash advance by using their future credit card processing activity. This strategy is also referred to as credit card financing and credit card receivables factoring. However, there are a number of critical business financing problems to avoid when using this strategy, and a merchant cash advance is not the only source to consider for additional working capital.
Business cash advance and credit card processing management is frequently one of the most overlooked sources of working capital for a business. This article will provide a concise and practical introduction to what a business needs to know about using this business finance strategy and how to obtain a merchant cash advance.
Businesses should not overlook the substantial working capital business loan benefits which will accrue to their business by effectively coordinating merchant cash advance and credit card processing programs. Key results from successfully coordinating these business financing services will include reduced costs and improved cash flow. Perhaps most importantly, a business cash advance based on credit card processing is one of the few viable options for reliably obtaining short-term commercial financing for many service and retail businesses.
Before we begin, there are two key points to keep in mind. First, business cash advance programs can be a source of confusion and problems, and proper anticipation of these potential difficulties is essential for a business owner considering this working capital strategy. Second, some additional descriptions for business cash advance programs are credit card receivables factoring, merchant cash advances and credit card financing.
Although this is a sound and viable strategy, there are pitfalls to anticipate and avoid. Below you will find our suggestions for simultaneously obtaining business cash advances and improving credit card processing.
Realize that the business cash advance strategy is not readily available until a business has been operational for at least one year. A further limitation is that the business must have been using credit cards as a form of payment by customers. It would be wise for new business owners to review this strategy in order to be better prepared for future business finance options needed in the future.
Determine how much additional working capital your business needs. In general a business cash advance is typically possible for amounts varying from $5000 to $300,000 and the amount will depend on the monthly credit card processing volume for a business.
Review your monthly credit card volume as well as cash receipts from your customers during the past six months. It is not unusual for a business to experience cyclical variations in their monthly receipts, and these fluctuations are generally acceptable in calculating the potential for a business cash advance.
Avoid business finance sites which request that a business owner submit an online application for a business cash advance. To illustrate the problems associated with an online business financing application, we have prepared a separate business loan report entitled How and Why to Avoid the Online Business Loan Application Trap.
An experienced business cash advance advisor should be consulted. High-pressure representatives making unrealistic promises about the speed of the credit card financing process should always be avoided. A realistic expectation is that a merchant cash advance can be finalized in a period of two to four weeks. A knowledgeable working capital financing advisor will be able to provide an initial assessment of potential working capital advance options based on information referred to above.
Explore additional resources that will facilitate a better understanding of complex credit card factoring issues. You should look for sources which will provide relevant strategies and solutions for any business owner contemplating a future business cash advance.
Complete an initial business cash advance application once you are satisfied that you have identified a suitable advisor and provider for coordinating the credit card processing and credit card receivables factoring. Please remember our advice to avoid the online versions for this step. Faxing or emailing a completed application directly to the advisor-provider is the preferred method for submitting initial documentation. Please note that there should not be any up-front fees or closing costs to obtain a working capital advance.
By: Stephen Bush
Tagged with: Advance Programs • Business Cash Advance • Business Finance • Business Financing • Business Loan • Business Owner • Cash Advances • Commercial Financing • Credit Card Processing • Credit Card Receivables • Critical Business • Financing Receivables • Financing Services • Improving Credit • Loan Benefits • Receivables Factoring • Retail Businesses • Viable Options • Viable Strategy • Working Capital
