How to Use Small Business Financing to Bypass Traditional Banks

Starting a small business can be exciting but challenging. Of course, a business plan is a must, but so is having sufficient financing to give you the space you need to succeed. The problem is that financing can take time and may be difficult if you work with a bank.

There’s no specific requirement to gain small business funding, but traditional lenders are strict about who they lend to. If collateral or bad credit are causing problems, an alternative form of small business financing might work better for your needs.

Why Small Businesses Have Trouble Getting Bank Loans

Small businesses may struggle to get capital for several reasons. Banks might want to help out smaller companies, but their lending process doesn’t facilitate the process. Small organizations and shops will have more trouble than larger national businesses.

In addition, most small businesses don’t have years of experience, and some banks want to see a several-year profile before lending. That’s why alternative funding may be the perfect solution for your business. 

Alternative funding is simply receiving a loan without using a traditional bank. Many of these funding options are online, while others also have standard brick-and-mortar locations for business owners to visit.

Why Choose Alternative Small Business Financing

There are many reasons a small business owner might choose an alternative to a bank loan. However, the ones below are the most commonly cited.

  • Quicker Approval – A traditional loan might take weeks to reach the approval stage with banks. However, business loan alternatives give you access much faster. As a result, it might take a week or less to get the money.
  • Simpler Qualification – Traditional loans take all sorts of paperwork and contracts. Not everyone can meet all the requirements for this type of bank loan. The qualification process for alternative loans is often much more accessible.
  • Lower Credit Requirements – A typical bank is likely to have stringent credit requirements, some of which can be hard to stand up to. Many business owners will be rejected for not having a perfect credit score. Alternative loans may take many other things into account.

How to Find Small Business Financing

Financing a small business may seem like a time-consuming and frustrating process. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Companies like CMCA offer financial support through cash advances of up to $100,000. In addition, simple, flexible payment plans are available for any business. Choose from several credit lines or merchant cash advances that meet your needs.

It doesn’t matter what industry you work in. The best alternative financing companies will serve you. That includes everything from convenience stores, restaurants, and franchises to hotels, coffee shops, and personal service providers. All you have to do is choose the lending option that works for your business.

Choose CMCA for Small Business Financing

CMCA has decades of experience in the financial world, and we can use it to help you get financing for your small business. We’ll work with you individually and share our knowledge to ensure you meet all your business goals. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help or learn more about our services.

Merchant Cash Advance Vs. Business Loan, Which One is Right for Your Business?

Finding the right options to obtain capital for your business is complex and can depend greatly on your unique business plan and situation. Two very common ways to get financing for your business are a loan or merchant cash advance. You may need to do a little reading to understand each – and which one is right for you.

Below you’ll find easy-to-read explanations of both options, their differences, their similarities, and the benefits associated with each!

Business Loan

A lender agrees to give a business owner a set amount of capital upfront, and that capital will be paid off in monthly instalments over time. The loan will be subject to interest, which can vary in percentage, but will always make payments more expensive.

Typically, the business owner will pay a set amount based on the loan amount and interest percentage each month until the loan is paid. Should things begin to take off, the business owner can always decide to pay more or pay it off in full.

Merchant Cash Advance

A lender agrees to give a business owner a set amount of capital upfront with the promise of future repayment. This is a similarity between merchant cash advances and loans.

The main deviation is in how that capital will be paid back. 

In a merchant cash advance, the business will pay a percentage of their credit card sales per month that will go toward the repayment of the capital borrowed.

Rather than agreeing on a set payment each month, a cash advance will take an agreed-upon percentage of credit card sales made that month. Merchant cash advances can be applied easily through certain online lenders. Merchant cash advances, similar to loans, are still subject to interest. Some even have helpful blog posts like this article on exactly what you need for approval.

Which to Choose?

Both options are used frequently by businesspeople. In a merchant cash advance, you pay a percentage of what you make in sales, which can help businesses who make money in the form of consumable goods or services. Merchant cash advances can help small businesses quickly reinvest in themselves and bring in even greater revenue.

If a company is not yet making sales, it’s likely safer to choose a traditional business loan. If there are no credit card sales, the merchant cash advance will not work and may leave the company in a tough position if they are unable to repay their set percent per month. This article goes into further detail on the pros and cons of the MCA.

However, for any business that has regular credit sale transactions and an established customer base, the merchant cash advance is much more attractive as it ensures a payment you’ll be comfortable with because they are based on your sales. This can be a much better option than a traditional loan for businesses that have steady cash flow via sales!