Getting a business loan is becoming more and more difficult as banks are cutting down on business lending is the number one question asked by entrepreneurs today is, how can I get a business loan ?
But, before we explore more deeply of how this phenomenon is coming to pass, let’s take a peek at the make-up of credit unions and why they haven’t been major players in the SBA loan playing field until more recently.
Major difference between banks and credit unions, this is something we should start with. Owners of credit unions are cooperatives (non-profit), members, while the owners of the banks are shareholders and investors. Credit unions establish different requirements for the membership qualification, it may be residency but is not limited to it. Many of you probably did not know that credit unions are exempt from federal income tax. Home loans and car loans were the major offer by credit unions to their members, it is only recently that credit unions started to offer loans to business.
1998 federal law made it possible for credit unions to lend money to business, but the total lending is capped to 12,25 percent of credit unions assets. Bills are pending in Senate and House and these bills include the raise of the limit of business lending to 27,5 percent of credit unions assets.
Naturally, banks do not like this idea and their argument is that credit unions are exempt from federal income tax and some other regulations. As credit unions are becoming more and more present in the business lending field banks are concerned that they might lose business since they are cutting on their business lending. On the other hand, credit unions don’t feel like they are stealing business from the banks, but are underwriting loans the banks turned down. Credit unions are just stepping up where banks have left off as they divested them selves from small business loans or are modifying them. Merchants and business owners will surely turn to credit unions more often if the bills raise the credit unions lending cap to 27,5 percent.
However, there is a catch and there are some more facts you should know before deciding on which way to go. You need to know that credit unions will not just give business loans before checking up on your business. Credit unions are taking extra care and offer extra service to their members and you will need to be a CU member if you want to apply for a loan. Credit union will take care of their best interest it will be their major guideline when it comes to the approval of the business loan. The credit union will do its best to extend credit, but not to the detriment of the other patrons (members).
Also, here are some other alternate options for business funding::
- Local and state economic development organizations
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants
- Vendors (Suppliers)
- Angel equity
Finally, we can expect that there might be a lot more money available to business owners in the near future, but creditworthiness will remain the basis to loan approval. If you have a bad credit, something can still be done, take a look at the video and our business loans and financing offer.