Secured Business Loans: What Are They, and Should You Get One?
Secured business loans require you to have collateral, such as a large business or personal asset. Here are the pros and cons of a secured business loan.
By: Sean Peek, CO- Contributor
For many entrepreneurs, a small business loan is the best way to finance a new business or grow an existing organization. However, obtaining a business loan can be difficult for startups and small companies because the risk to financial institutions is greater than lending to larger businesses.
If you’ve begun to explore commercial lending options, you may have noticed some banks offer “secured” loans with more attractive interest rates and payment terms.
To help you determine if you’re eligible for a secured business loan – and whether it’s the right choice for your financial situation – here’s what you need to know.
Secured vs. unsecured business loans
Any commercial lender takes on a significant amount of risk in offering a loan because there’s always the possibility that a business will fail and be unable to make payments. The main difference between a secured and an unsecured loan is the way a lender mitigates that risk.
A secured business loan requires a specific piece of collateral, such as a business vehicle or commercial property, which the lender can claim if you fail to repay your loan. These types of loans are often easier to obtain and may come with lower interest rates because the lender has a guaranteed way to get their money back. They can recoup their losses by selling your collateral in the event of a default.
Unsecured loans, on the other hand, are not attached to any collateral. Personal loans, student loans and credit cards are common examples of unsecured loans. These types of loans often come with high interest rates and stringent approval requirements to ensure the lender gets their money back.
Personal guarantees and blanket liens
Because of the increased risk to the lender with an unsecured loan, they may ask you to sign a personal guarantee to approve it. This means that, if your business defaults on the loan, you are personally liable for repaying it.
While a creditor can’t seize your business property under a personal guarantee, they can legally claim your personal assets, such as bank accounts, cars and real estate, until the loan is repaid.
Another common method of mitigating lending risk Cincinnati lend payday loans is by reserving the right to file a blanket lien over your business assets. According to Fundera, most business loan terms include a blanket lien clause that allows the lender to claim and resell your business assets to collect on your debt.
While many entrepreneurs use their business assets as collateral, it is also possible to use your personal assets to secure a loan.
How do secured business loans work?
The Balance explains that the amount of money you can borrow against collateral depends on the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio offered by your lender.
For instance, if your collateral is worth $100,000 and the lender allows for a 75% LTV ratio, they can lend you a maximum of $75,000.
Keep in mind that if your pledged assets lose value, you may be required to pledge additional assets to maintain a secured loan. Additionally, if your lender takes your assets and sells them for less than the amount you owe, you are responsible to make up the difference.
There are several types of collateral you can use to obtain a secured loan. In fact, any asset a lender feels holds significant value can be used as collateral, including some surprising items. However, the most common types of collateral include:
