Tag Archives: program
Credit Card Debt Management Consolidations
Credit card debt consolidation can be of two types consolidating all your debts into one debt, or taking a fresh loan to pay off all the existing debts. Technically the latter type is called debt consolidation loan but the term debt consolidation is often used to mean both methods. One should confirm before committing to either alternative and choose whatever method is more suitable to his/her situation.
Mere debt consolidation is not a loan. It is the process wherein you combine all your credit card debts into a single debt with the help of a professional debt management/repayment program of a financial institution. The representative of the program negotiates on your behalf with the credit card companies regarding your outstanding debts. The duty of the representative is to secure a lower rate of interest and reduction in penalties for late payments.
Instead of paying several separate bills every month you make only one consolidated monthly payment of a fixed amount to the debt manager as if there is only one loan. It is his duty to make the payments to the individual creditors and keep your accounts up to date. The programs will require you to stop using your cards till complete repayment of debts. With the systematic guidance of a professional debt management program you can pay off all your debts in a much shorter time than you expect. The service involves fees for securing all these benefits.
The second type of debt consolidation entails taking a fresh loan to pay off the existing loans. It is the oft resorted measure to pay off the credit card debts. A debt consolidation loan facilitates a fixed rate of interest, lower monthly installments and the convenience of servicing a single loan – instead of coordinating between many debts with different rates of interest. Credit card consolidation service providers or help centers extend the necessary assistance to get the loan.
One should be careful before going for a consolidation loan because more often than not they charge a high rate of interest and generally they are secured loans – unlike credit card debts, which are unsecured debts. A default may result in losing the property given as collateral. Choose only a loan with a competitive rate of interest.
Debt consolidation of either type does not revamp your credit rating overnight. But it can help improve your credit history and ensure a debt free future with careful planning. Also, it protects you from harassment of creditors and the humiliation of filing for bankruptcy.
Understanding 504 SBA Loans
When a business is looking for a long-term, fixed rate loan for major asset purchases, a good financing vehicle for that is the SBA 504 loan program. Proceeds from these loans must be used to purchase fixed assets such as land and improvements to buildings, streets, utilities, parking lots and landscaping. The loan can also be used to construct a new building and purchase machinery and equipment. If new equipment is bought, it has to have a useful life and for at least ten years.
The 504 SBA Loan operates as a partnership between a third party lender, a certified development company and the borrower. These types of loans offer many benefits to business owners, including low down payments, below market fixed interest rates and long-term financing.
There are several criteria for qualifying for a loan, including the fact that the business must be a for-profit company with a net worth of less than $7 million. The SBA also sets caps on the net income of the business. The business applicant has to be the primary user of a facility, with a minimum percentage of 51 percent for an existing building, and 60 percent for a new building. A new job has to be created for every $35,000 provided by a Certified Development Company. Passive investment companies, non-profit companies, lending institutions and real estate development companies are not eligible for the 504 SBA Loan.
There are three parts to an SBA 504 Loan. The first part is a mortgage provided by a commercial lender, which can take up to 50 percent of the cost. This carries its own interest rate, terms and conditions. The second part is a loan through a certified development company, which can take up to forty percent with a maximum debenture amount of $1,500,000 for most businesses, $2,000,000 when meeting defined public policy goals, and $4,000,000 for eligible small manufacturers. This term can be as long as twenty years, with ten years for equipment. The interest rate for this is fixed and usually below market. The third part of the payment comes from the borrower, at around ten percent of the total cost. If the business is new, or a new facility is being built with the loan, the borrower may have to contribute as much as twenty percent. The down payment can be cash, equity in land, a building or existing equipment.
As the SBA 504 program can only be utilized to finance fixed assets, it is not the most ideal program if a prospective buyer wants to finance the purchase of an existing business. Goodwill, working capital, and other intangible assets are typically not eligible under the 504 program. This is also a program for “new money” and it cannot be used for refinance. If someone needs to refinance or needs to do a highly leveraged loan that is short on collateral, the SBA 7a program may be a viable alternative. Get more information