Comparing rates is key in getting the best loans your business needs - TinySG (2024)

To get best loan deals, you should start comparing rates

By: Hitesh Khan/

Shopping around and comparing rates will get you the best loan deals. To shop for thebest loan deals may sound like an obvious statement that you may have heard many times. But have you really taken that advice to heart, or are you desperate to get a loan and willing to accept any terms just to get cash in your pocket? Here are five things to consider when shopping for a best loan deal.

Comparing rates always matter when you shop for a best loan deals.

Even if you have so-so credit and know that you won’t qualify for the best rates it’s important to decide if the interest rate you are being offered is worth it. Just because you think you can handle high interest payments doesn’t mean you should get locked into them. If possible, hold off on applying for a best loan deal until your credit has improved.

When you are comparng rates, you’ll know that fees and penalties matter.

For instance, there may be a fee to set up the loan or a penalty for making a late payment – or paying early. Some lenders charge fees for paying off a personal loan balance ahead of schedule. It’s important to get all the information about fees before signing up for a loan.

Also, beware loans with no credit check when comparing rates.

No credit check loans always cost more than those that require a review of your credit report. No credit check loans include payday loans, which charge interest rates that can have an annual percentage rate (APR), sometime as high as 300 percent. Think long and hard before getting a fast loan from a moneylender, even if they are licensed moneylenders.

Get some free advice when comparing rates.

Free advice is useful to help you wade through the challenges of getting start-up financing. One of the persons you should talk to to get free advise is the independent loan specialist.It is good to understand the legal jargon in that stack of papers you will have to sign before the small business loan is disbursed.

The small business loan or even personal loan documents could be a bit overwhelming, but with the help of an independent loan specialist, you can get a full understanding of what the legalese means.In fact, many independent loan specialist encourage loan applicants to understand the loan documents before they even complete a formal application for a loan.

Are you trying to pay off debt? Loans for consolidating your bills can be be helpful when you are trying to improve your credit score and get out of debt. However, debt loans are not a good idea if you don’t have a plan to stop overspending. A debt consolidation loan should be part of a bigger plan to improve your finances, which should include budgeting and saving.

Some loans require collateral. This means you are agreeing to hand over some type of personal property if you end up defaulting on a loan. Some items that are used as collateral for loans include homes, cars, boats and jewelry.
All loans should have a contract

Even if you borrow money from a friend or relative it’s important to get the terms and conditions clearly understood before any cash changes hands. Use a written contract so that there are no misunderstandings about interest rates, collateral, number of months to repay, or any other terms.

The Bank of Mom and Dad may seem to be the best place to go to for the cash you need, especially if you need it in a hurry. But borrowing from relatives (even close ones) or friends can be a very quick way to put a hitch in an otherwise solid relationship.

So, when you borrow money from your nearest and dearest, do it with paperwork, a payment schedule and a plan to follow if and when you can’t make a payment. Interest is optional. Your lenders can charge it if they chose to, but many do not.

One best small business loan tips most people won’t give you is to not wait until you are desperate to ask for money. This is nota good foundation for a successful loan application. The bankwants to feel secure in its decision. It does not want to hearthat your business needs the loan to survive; it wants to hearthat your business needs the loan to grow.

If you have no time to shop for best loan deals, the next best alternative is to use the services of loan specialists.There are many factors to consider when you have to haggle business loans, and loan specialists can always tweak terms to have an advantage.

They can set you up on a path that can get you the best personal loans in a quick and seamless manner. They can also arrange for theBest Home Equity Loans in Singaporeas they have close links with the best lenders in town and can help you compare Singapore loans and settle for a package that best suits your needs.

Whether you are looking for a new home equity loan or to refinance, our loan specialists can help you get everything right from calculating mortgage repayment, comparing interest rates all through to securing the loan. And the good thing is that all their services are free of charge. So it’s all worth it to secure a loan through them.

about the author: Ravi Philemon

Comparing rates is key in getting the best loans your business needs - TinySG (2)

Ravi Philemon has been writing and editing for prominent publications in Singapore since 2008. He played key roles in revamping leading publications, which allowed them to grow and be among the leading news outlets.

In 2012, Institute of Policy Studies recognised Ravi as being among the most influential persons in the the Arts, Culture and Media sector by inviting him to their Prisms (Scenario Planning Exercise) Project.

Holding the qualification of BA in Management from Heriott Watt University, Ravi is often described as an independent self-starter.

Comparing rates is key in getting the best loans your business needs - TinySG (2024)

FAQs

Why is it important to compare loans? ›

Comparing Loan Estimates helps you decide which lender offers the best deal on the loan amount and kind of loan you have selected.

Why are interest rates on loans so important to business decisions? ›

As the Fed rate increases, so does the interest that business owners pay on loans and lines of credit as lenders charge a premium for borrowed funds. Because of this increased cost, some business owners may delay taking out a loan or may spend more money repaying lenders, limiting business growth.

What is the current interest rate for small business loans? ›

SBA 7(a) (variable rates)10.75% to 13.25%
SBA Express loan rates12.75% to 14.75%
SBA CDC/504 loan rates6.597% to 7.063%
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) rates2.75% to 3.75%
SBA Microloan rates8% to 13%
1 more row
Mar 25, 2024

Who gives the best small business loans? ›

Best Business Loans Of May 2024
  • QuickBridge: Best for Fast Business Loans.
  • OnDeck: Best for Short-Term Business Loans.
  • American Express® Business Line of Credit: Best for Business Lines of Credit.
  • Wells Fargo: Best for Business Lines of Credit From a Bank.
  • Fora Financial: Best for Large Business Loans.

Why is comparison rate important? ›

A comparison rate includes the interest rate as well as certain fees and charges relating to a loan. The aim of the comparison rate is to help you identify the true cost of a loan and compare loans and services offered by financial institutions and mortgage providers.

How best to compare loans? ›

You should also compare interest rates and look at what the loan will cost over the whole term – the total amount repayable. Here's an example for illustrative purposes only. It assumes there are no extra fees. A shorter loan term will mean you pay less interest overall, but the monthly repayments will be higher.

How do interest rates affect small businesses? ›

Rising interest rates make your business debt more expensive, which means you'll have to use more cash to cover your interest costs. Depending on your business's overall financial health and profit margins, you might have less flexibility to invest in long-term growth—or less day-to-day cash flow stability.

What businesses benefit from high interest rates? ›

With profit margins that actually expand as rates climb, entities like banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and money managers generally benefit from higher interest rates. Central bank monetary policies and the Fed's reserver ratio requirements also impact banking sector performance.

Who benefits from higher interest rates? ›

As interest rates rise, the interest income from loans typically increases faster than the interest paid on deposits, leading to wider profit margins. Additionally, higher interest rates can boost the earnings of insurance companies and investment firms, as they often hold large portfolios of interest-sensitive assets.

How much can I realistically get for a small business loan? ›

How much of a business loan you can get depends on your business's annual gross sales, creditworthiness, current debts, the type of financing, and the chosen lender. In general, lenders will only provide loans up to 10% to 30% of your annual revenue to ensure you have the means for repayment.

How much are payments on a 50000 loan? ›

Calculating the monthly cost for a $50,000 loan at an interest rate of 8.75%, which is the average rate for a 10-year fixed home equity loan as of September 25, 2023, the monthly payment would be $626.63.

What disqualifies you from getting an SBA loan? ›

The most common reasons SBA loans are denied are poor credit, too much existing debt, or insufficient collateral. Other reasons include: Prior bankruptcy. Negative taxable income.

Why is it so hard to get a small business loan? ›

Factors that impact business loan approval

Lenders place the heaviest weight on your cash flow, credit history and time in business. They'll use this information to approve or deny your loan and determine your interest rate. Don't get discouraged if your business doesn't meet all these standards.

What is the easiest bank to get a loan from? ›

The easiest banks to get a personal loan from are USAA and Wells Fargo. USAA does not disclose a minimum credit score requirement, but their website indicates they consider people with scores below 640, so even people with bad credit may be able to qualify.

What is the easiest SBA loan to get approved for? ›

SBA Express loans, part of the SBA's 7(a) loan program, offer the easiest application process and the fastest approval times among all SBA loans. These loans, with payoff periods as long as 25 years, are designed for purposes such as refinancing debt, buying equipment, or improving real estate.

Why is it important to match the term of a loan? ›

Your loan term directly impacts your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan. Consider factors such as your financial situation, repayment capacity, and interest rates when choosing a loan term. Shorter loan terms may result in higher monthly payments but save you money on interest in the long run.

Why is loan analysis important? ›

➢ Loan analysis is to ensure that loans are made on appropriate terms to clients who can and will pay them back. What analysis is needed and what is the most efficient approach to fulfill that need is primarily determined by the type and nature of the loan.

Does comparing loans affect credit score? ›

Comparing credit offers with Experian.

This is called a soft check. Soft checks aren't visible to lenders and have no impact on your credit score.

Why is it important to know about loans? ›

It's important to know how loans work before you borrow money. With a better understanding of them, you can save money and make better decisions about debt—including when to avoid acquiring more or how to use it to your advantage.

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