Copyright RebuildCreditScores 2008.
All Rights Reserved
Contact Us
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Articles
Links
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape
Microloans:
A Way to Get a Bad Credit Business Loan
by rebuildcreditscores.com
Who can apply

Start-up businesses, newly established businesses, home-based businesses and growing
businesses.

How much is available

The maximum loan amount is usually $35,000 with the average loan being $13,000. The
borrower may use the proceeds for working capital and acquisition of materials, inventory,
supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment. Loans cannot be made to acquire
land or property.

Who provides the loans

Hundreds of microloan programs exist throughout the United States. Nonprofit agencies,
private foundations and the Small Business Administration (SBA) operate microloan
programs. The SBA does not grant microloans directly, they provide low-cost loans and
grants to non-profit intermediaries such as community economic development and
microloan centers nationwide which redistribute the funds to qualified small businesses.

General lending guidelines are established by the intermediary agency and all credit
decisions are made on the local level. Business owners will likely be required to submit a
business plan. If you do not have a business plan most intermediaries offer business
planning courses and other training.
About Us
 
Microloans service entrepreneurs who need
financing assistance to start or expand their
business but cannot qualify for traditional bank
loans.

During this credit crunch it has become
increasingly difficult to get approved for even
the smallest business loan. A mircroloan may
be the answer to your short term financing
needs.

The amount you can borrow may be as little as
$1,000 up to $35,000. Hundreds of microloan
programs exist in the United States and most
microloan programs allow you to come back
and borrow larger amounts once the first loan
amount is paid on time.

Microloan programs can be operated by the
Small Business Administration (SBA), nonprofit
agencies or even private foundations. General
lending guidelines and credit criteria are
established by the individual microlenders.
Microloan programs provide small business loans to start-up, home-based, existing and
growing businesses.  Small business owners seeking bad credit business loans may find a
micro business loan meets their needs.
Terms, interest rates, and fees

The maximum term allowed for a microloan is six years. However, loan
terms vary according to the size of the loan, the planned use of funds,
the requirements of the intermediary lender, and the needs of the small
business borrower. The rates will are between 8% and 13%.

Collateral

The community based intermediary establishes its own lending and
credit requirements. Some intermediaries may require some collateral
but not likely. The business owner will be required to personally
guarantee repayment of the loan. A credit report is pulled on the small
business owner but it is not the only criteria considered. Bad credit
business owners are often approved with a solid business plan and
business training.

Training and assistance

The intermediary is required to provide small business training and
technical assistance to the borrower, if needed. Small business owners
may be required to complete a series of training or a business planning
course as a precondition before the loan application is approved.

Where to apply

Small business owners should apply for a microloan in their community,
city or county.
Microenterpriseworks.org can help you find a microloan
in your area. While microloans are a good source of funds for small
businesses unable to borrow from traditional banks, it can be
cumbersome to obtain a microloan if training and business planning
courses are required.
Another problem with microloans is that intermediaries distribute the loans in their own
communities and if you do not live in an area of an intermediary then a microloan may not be
available to you.

If this is the case you can research your State and local government agencies as an
alternative as some offer loans similar to the microloan program. A nationwide microloan
program with an online application is
www.accionusa.org.  Women business owners may
want to research an organization called "Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence".
This organization offers micro business loans for women entrepreneurs.
www.countmein.org.

The microloan program may be the only alternative for small business owners and start-up
businesses. Microlenders are comfortable with the needs, experience, collateral or lack
thereof, small borrowers have and they provide a much needed service.
Need Money? Join Lending Club!
 
 
Related Topics
10 Steps to Building Business Credit
Building business credit can be accomplished
regardless of your personal credit history.

Business Opportunities
Home-based business opportunities. Earn extra
income from your computer.

Business Loan Sources
A little Creativity and al lot of determination can
get you the money you need.

Bad Credit Business Loans
The funding sources may be limited for
business loans when you have bad credit but
they are existent.