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Trends in Financing Your Business In 2010
Business trends change over the years and for people who run businesses, being aware of those changes is an important factor to survive the market. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at the developments in financing a business for the year 2010.
Angel Investment
Angel investors can be individuals or groups in search for promising business ventures. Angel Investors started to become a favorite financing option in the late 90s and since that time, has went on to be one of the most highly regarded methods of business financing, especially with small enterprises.
Equipment lease financing
Equipment leasing has become the most recommended methods for business financing not just for small enterprises but for large and established companies as well. Through equipment leasing, a small working capital doesn’t need to be a major barrier in delivering those brilliant business ideas to reality. Business equipment lease is paid in installment so the business owner gets the chance to acquire all equipment needed for the operations without a great deal of upfront cost.
Supplier Credit
A number of wholesale vendors provide credit lines to their small business customers particularly if they can present an outstanding credit history. Be sure to check out prospective vendors who can provide you with your needed supplies and if you can be extended a credit line.
SBA Loan Programs
For business owners who are having trouble acquiring a business loan from banks or commercial lending companies, they can get support from the Small Business Administration (SBA). By being guaranteed by the SBA, it will be easier to get approved for small business financing. Nevertheless, remember that the SBA has its own requirements in approving small business loan applications. Check from the SBAs website for the prerequisites in applying for a small business loan.
Business Credit Cards
At present, a growing number of business owners are realizing the benefits of using small business credit cards. As opposed to using their personal credit cards for business expenses, entrepreneurs are making use of business credit cards to separate their personal and business finances. Business credit cards are also perfect tools in building business credit history. Over time, maintaining an impressive business credit rating will be a major advantage in the future development of a business and one of the simplest strategies to build credit is by using a credit card for business.
Bank Business Loans
Despite the emergence of fast loans, a lot of small business enterprisers still favor the traditional approach to business financing. The reason for this is that banking institutions generally provide a bigger amount of funding and when matched up against other types of loans, a bank loan is still more reliable. For business owners who are willing to use their homes as collateral, a secured small business loan gives them the opportunity to obtain the financial assistance they need for starting a business. Secured business loans are known to have lower interest rates and longer repayment period compared to unsecured business loans.
Can You Ask Your Credit Card To Lower Your Interest Rate?
If you think that the interest rate of your credit card must be reduced, dont just sit there and wait. Credit card companies wont volunteer to lower your rate if you wont ask them to. Surprisingly, a recent study reveals that 57% of credit card holders simply phoned in their requests and were granted a lower rate without any difficulty. So if you think youre a good candidate, pick up your phone and speak out.
Why Ask for a Lower Rate Lowering your interest by even just 10 points or less can bring huge savings to your budget. Just imagine bringing down your 19% interest to just 10%. Now certainly, that makes a big difference. Although it should be your goal to pay off your balances in full each month and avoid the interest altogether, there may be instances when you have to carry over your balance. Reducing your interest rate protects you from the risk of bad credit.
Are You a Good Candidate? Nevertheless, credit card companies wont just lower their rates for anyone. Are you a good candidate? First, check your credit report and gauge your credit rating. If youve been consistent in submitting your payments on time to all your creditors, you should have problem maintaining a high credit score. Paying off your monthly charges in full also makes you an ideal customer for creditors.
Your debt to income ratio may also be considered. How much do you spend each month and how does this compare to your earnings? Do you frequently carry a large amount of charges on your card? Do you often maximize your cards credit limit? Financial experts recommend not using more than 40% of your given credit. Using more than 505 or worse, exceeding your credit line would make you a high-risk borrower in the eyes of creditors.
Also, you need to consider the type of credit card you have. If youre using a secured credit card or a bad credit credit card, you may not be in the position to demand for reduced rates. Since youre regarded as a high-risk borrower, you cant expect your credit card company to reduce your rates just because you asked them to.
What to Say If you enjoy an excellent credit history, theres no reason why you shouldnt deserve a lower rate. The question is, what should you say to your credit card issuer? What points can you use to convince your credit card to reduce your costs?
One strategy is to research about the interest rates that other credit card companies offer. Based on your research, compare them with your credit cards rate and use this argument to request for a lower rate. You can also point out that youve been a long time customer (and a good payer at that!) and that youll like to stay within their company but that other credit cards seem to offer a better deal. Ask them if they could match that offer.
If the person you talked to insists that it is not in their power to make adjustments on fees, ask to speak with the supervisor. If your request is initially rejected, dont lose hope. Call again after a month or two and see if theyll be more agreeable to your request. While waiting, continue to improve your credit score and youll have better chances of getting a positive answer.