Lauren McKinley

Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans are the most common type of loan offered by the SBA. These are government-backed loans issued through participating lenders designated by the SBA. Loan proceeds can be used for various business purposes, including purchasing equipment, inventory, real estate, and other working capital needs. You can choose from different types…

Our guide details how to get a loan to buy a business, from gathering required documents and reviewing company data to applying with your chosen lender and signing the final purchase agreement. Depending on the loan type and lender, there are various allowable uses of funds, but you’ll typically be allowed to use loan proceeds…

The loan-to-cost ratio, also known as LTC, is a calculation that’s used to evaluate the costs of a commercial real estate project. It is calculated by taking the loan amount of a commercial mortgage and dividing it by the property’s total project costs. It is reflected as a percentage. Lenders use the LTC ratio to…

Invoice factoring is a type of business financing that allows a company to get an advance on funds to cover its unpaid invoices. It can help your business with cash flow, as you don’t have to wait for customers to pay an invoice. The invoices are assigned to a factoring company, which will then provide…

A small business line of credit is a revolving credit facility that allows you to borrow funds on an as-needed basis. You can request a draw on the line, have the funds deposited to your account of choice, use the funds for business purposes, and repay the balance over time. This flexibility makes it a…

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are issued by participating lenders designated by the SBA but are guaranteed by the government in the event of a default. To cover the potential costs of a default, an SBA guarantee fee is often included as part of the costs associated with getting a loan. The amount of this…

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan requirements are determined by both the federal government and the participating lender facilitating the loan. Eligibility criteria can vary depending on the loan program and qualifications required by the issuing lender. When determining if you meet SBA loan requirements, your business will be evaluated based on its ability to repay…

A business credit score is a number provided by a credit bureau that represents the creditworthiness of a business. It is calculated based on a variety of factors that influence the score—including financial history, business characteristics, and legal implications. It’s a valuable tool that can be used to determine the level of risk a business…

The current ratio, also commonly referred to as the working capital ratio, evaluates whether a company can cover its current liabilities with its current assets. The current ratio formula divides a company’s current assets by its current liabilities. It’s a useful calculation that can be used to determine if a company can pay its short-term…

Leasing commercial real estate for your business requires an understanding of the various steps to properly facilitate the process. You’ll have to consider the different types of leases, property conditions, and characteristics, and how to go about negotiating lease terms. In this guide, we will walk you through the process step-by-step on how to lease…

The collateral coverage ratio (CCR) is a calculation that compares the discounted collateral value (DCV) with the total loan amount to ensure proper coverage. It is calculated by dividing the DCV provided by the amount borrowed. It can be used by lenders to evaluate the maximum loan limit eligibility of a borrower, and most lenders…

For businesses without the resources to fulfill orders, PO financing can help avoid turning away customers or processing delays if you have insufficient funds or limited stock. Take note that it requires that you sell finished goods to either a business (B2B) or the government (B2G). The process is simple—the financing company reviews the order,…