Summary:
- A small business loan is designed to help small businesses gain access to capital.
- To be eligible the business owner must be over 18 and the business is a limited company in the UK.
- Small businesses can apply for a loan between £1,000 – £500,000 online using the For Kredit online application.
- Interest rates vary between 2%-6% with a maximum repayment term of 24 months.
- Once approved, money can be pinged into your business bank account within a matter of minutes of the deal being finalised.
What is a small business loan?
A small business loan is an unsecured finance option that allows businesses to borrow money. It aims to help smaller businesses receive access to funding which they can use for a variety of reasons to improve their business.
How does a small business loan work?
A small business loan works by a business owner borrowing an amount of money which is determined by the lender. If successful, the funding is transferred into the designated business bank account. The small business is then expected to repay the loan via monthly repayments which include added interest rates.
How can I apply for a small business loan?
Small businesses can apply for a small business loan by completing the online application on the For Kredit website. The application form has been designed with simplicity in mind so that businesses can complete the application in a matter of minutes. The online form is compatible with mobile and desktop devices.
How much money can I borrow with a small business loan?
Small businesses can borrow a loan amount between £1,000 – £500,000 when they apply for a business loan with For Kredit. It is important to note that funding is determined by the lender and the amount that is applied for may not be the amount that is eventually received.
Am I eligible for a small business loan?
To be eligible for a small business loan, the following criteria must be met:
- The owner of the business is over the age of 18 years old.
- The business is a limited company.
- The limited company is based in the UK.
It is important to reiterate that these are the minimum criteria needed to be considered eligible for a loan. If a business matches the above criteria it does not necessarily mean that the business will be approved for small business financing.
What are the repayment terms of a small business loan?
The maximum repayment period that a small business can opt for is 24 months and interest rates will vary between 2% – 6%. One of the benefits is that there are no early repayment fees, as interest is only charged each day that the business has not repaid the borrowed amount of money.
Will I need to sign a personal guarantee?
Although the small business loans are unsecured, the director of the limited company will be required to sign a personal guarantee. The personal guarantee legally ensures that the director of the company will take personal responsibility for the debt should the business not be able to repay the loan. This helps minimise the risk to the lender should debt remain unpaid.
What other types of finance might be useful for a small business?
It is important to look around the market to find what financial product is right for your business. At For Kredit, we are able to help business owners find a variety of different types of finance that they need.
- Startup business loans.
- Bad credit business loans
- Cash Flow Loans
- Limited Company Loans
- Short-term business loans
- Unsecured business loans.
What are the benefits of a small business loan?
Fast application process
The application process for a small business loan is faster than other ways to raise capital, such as via a grant for instance. It allows small businesses that are approved for finance to receive the money within as little as 24 hours which makes it a useful form of funding for businesses seeking money in the short-term.
Unsecured
One of the benefits of the small business loans from For Kredit is that they are unsecured. This can be attractive to some business owners, as it minimises the risk of the owner losing property as would be the case with a secured business loan. Although, the business owner may be required to sign a personal guarantee with an unsecured loan.
Flexible
One of the benefits of the small business loan is that it can be used flexibly. Unlike grants which can be more restricted, a small business loan provides the business owner with greater levels of freedom when using their funding. This means the business owner has greater autonomy in how they use the money to improve their business and meet their goals.
Why do businesses apply for small business loans?
To aid with cash flow
Small businesses that rely on invoices may use a business loan to cover cash flow whilst they wait for invoices to be repaid by their clients. This ensures that the business has a constant cash flow present which helps to alleviate any possible problems the business may have.
To Invest and improve
It is common for small businesses to use a small business loan to invest in their business. It can be a useful option for fixing an old problem such as replacing a faulty or outdated piece of equipment with something modern or up to date. Alternatively, it can be used for marketing to help improve the visibility of the brand to attract new customers.
To deal with the unexpected
Running a small business can throw up a number of obstacles that are sometimes not the fault of anybody but can be very costly and appear at very inconvenient times. A small business loan can help businesses to manage and navigate through unexpected obstacles.
To expand and grow
It’s common for small business owners to want to expand their business, but typically this requires working capital. A small business loan provides an opportunity for businesses to expand their business to seize goals in the short-term rather than the long-term.
Is there a difference between a business loan and a personal loan?
Yes. A business loan is to be used for business purposes only such as hiring new employees, covering cash flow or general investment into the company. A personal loan is for personal use only and is not allowed to be invested in the business. For Kredit only helps with business loans.
I have bad credit, will this impact my application?
Although the credit rating of the business owner will be checked, the lender will also analyse the performance of the business before approving a loan. Therefore, bad credit is not the only factor analysed during the application although it will be considered as part of the overall assessment of an application.
Credit checks are a mandatory requirement as it helps the lender ensure that the lender lends responsibly. Only soft checks will be used, so your credit rating will not be affected should you choose to apply.
What are the rates and fees on small business loans?
Interest rates charged with a small business loan vary from 2% – 6% per month. Interest accrues on a daily basis which means that you only pay each day that you have not repaid the loan.
FAQs
How much can I borrow when applying for a small business loan?
Small businesses can apply for a business loan between £1,000 – £500,000 when they apply online with For Kredit. The amount borrowed is determined by the lender, this means that the amount borrowed may differ from the initial application.
How can I apply for a small business loan?
Small businesses that wish to apply for a loan can do so by applying online at the For Kredit website. The application is completely online and is quick and easy to fill out. The online form is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices.
How long do I have to repay the small business loan?
You can choose to repay your loan between 1 – 24 months. The repayments are typically made in monthly instalments plus interest.