One of the many things that businesses don't want to confront is rejection, whether it's for a new project or business financing. However, financial institutions are extra cautious when conducting credit appraisals. They consider a number of factors before approving your loan application.
As a result, if you don't want to find yourself in a loan refusal situation, keep the following points in mind.
1. Poor credit report
One of the primary reasons for business loan rejection is poor credit history. Financial institutions first assess your credit report when you apply for a loan. They look at how many existing debts you have and how much you are paying in EMIs. They also verify if any previous EMIs have been missed. In case of any negative recordings on your report, the lender will reject your application.
However, there are several circumstances in which a bad credit record is not your fault. For example, sometimes financial institutions forget to send the loan closure report to the credit bureaus. In such circumstances, your best solution is to contact your lender and request that the disparity is resolved. You can also send the credit bureau a rectification mail along with supporting papers like a no-objection certificate (NOC)
2. Poor cash flow
Cash flow is a measure of your company's liquidity. It informs lenders about the amount of cash you have on hand and in the bank. One of the numerous issues that lenders cannot ignore is a lack of liquidity. Assume you require funds in the range of Rs 25 lakhs. Your company's financials indicate a healthy profit, but your cash flow displays a negative amount. In this case, it is assumed that either your business expenses are excessive or you are wasting money on things that aren't necessary.
To improve the cash flow in your company, you can consider taking the following measures.
● Sell off any assets that are no longer relevant to your business.
● Instead of purchasing new machinery or office space, consider leasing.
● Launching new products will help you increase your revenue.
● Revise the price of your existing products.
3. Lack of business plan
Financial institutions ask you to present a well-detailed business plan when you apply for a business loan. They want to know about your projected sales, expansion plans, and revenue projections for the next five years, among other things. Some financial institutions also ask for financial statements. Thus, try to get your balance sheet and profit and loss statement audited by a chartered accountant if possible.
You may also seek guidance from business advisors or have a documented company plan reviewed by them to make the application process move more smoothly.
4. Multiple loan applications
The requirements for funds in business might arise at any time. And if you don't plan ahead of time, you can miss out on a fantastic opportunity. However, to obtain funds quickly, one of the most common mistakes made by businesses is to apply for a loan with many lenders at the same time without waiting for any lender to approve or disapprove.
Submitting multiple applications at the same time gives the lender an impression that you are a desperate borrower. Thus, resulting in a loan application rejection.
5. Start-ups
Financial institutions are hesitant to lend to start-up companies. The reason is that such businesses have no prior business credit history. They also lack financial information that would allow a lender to assess their company's viability. As such, if you have just started your business, you are left with a handful of financing options, of which a few are listed below.
● You may raise funds from private equity firms, venture capitalists, or angel investors.
● If you want to start a business in addition to your full-time employment, the best option is to apply for a personal loan.
● You can also choose from a variety of government loan programmes on the market.
● If nothing else works out, consider utilising your savings or enlisting the assistance of your friends or relatives. You may also want to explore forming a partnership firm, as your business partner may be willing to invest a significant amount of money in your company.
6. High risks business
There are various businesses whose performance relies upon the country's economic conditions, government policies, etc. There are also a few businesses that boom only in a specific season. Financial institutions consider such businesses risky and do not grant loans to them.
Assume when there is a complete lockdown in the country and gyms and other public amenities were closed. In such situations, do you think the lender will approve you for a loan? The answer is a big NO. And if they do, they will charge a hefty business loan interest rate to mitigate the potential risks.
To conclude:
Now that you are aware of the factors that influence the approval of your business loan, you can proceed with your application. Remember, avoiding the above blunders can help you get funds at an affordable business loan interest rate.
