Microloan

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Student Loan Consolidation - Is It Right For Me
You can benefit from student loan consolidation, but there are things you should consider. It's a good idea to start looking into how you can consolidate your student loans before the 6 month grace period ends. Big monthly student loan payments can be very stressful when starting a new job. When the bills are out of control and you're stressing out about how to keep track of when payments are due,... Read loans article



Auto Loan To Improve Credit
The answer to "Can getting an auto loan improve your credit", is yes it can. If possible pay a little bit more on your monthly payments. This helps due to fact, of your credit score, which is determined, in one way, by the amount of interest you are paying on your auto loan. Paying a little more on your monthly payments will reduce the amount owed on the auto loan, as well as pay off the loan quic... Read loans article



Microloan
If you have been tossing around an idea for a small business, but wondering where you will find the money you need to get started, perhaps you should consider a microloan. Microloans are ideal for getting a new business off the ground. A microloan can also provide an infusion of cash to help an existing small business grow.

The term "microloan" refers to a business loan smaller than most banks care to process, often to a borrower no bank would consider. The term came into vogue during the 1980's, as funders began to realize that $200 loaned to a cooperative of women in a third world country could empower those women to start a business capable of supporting their families.

In the United States, a microloan is usually between $2,000 and $35,000. Most microloans in this country are made by non-profit organizations funded by the Small Business Administration, a government agency. The SBA established a pilot program for microloans in 1992, and the program was made permanent in 1997. To date, more than $112 million has been made available to small businesses under the microloan program.

Virtually any kind of small business can apply for a microloan. The form of the business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, is not a determining factor. Non-profit daycare centers are also eligible to apply.

Loan funds can be allocated as working capital. The funds can also be used to purchase inventory, supplies, furnishings, fixtures, machinery or equipment. The one restriction is that the funds may not be used to purchase or make a down payment on real estate.

Perfect credit is not necessary, although the credit requirements vary according to the requirements of the lender. Often lenders require collateral, but may be very flexible in terms of what they accept as collateral. For example, a lender may accept jewelry, office equipment, or used cars to collateralize the loan.

Interest rates vary, but they are usually slightly higher than rates for conventional bank loans. Terms vary according to the size of the loan, the planned use of the funds, the requirement of the intermediary lender, and the needs of the borrower. The maximum term for repayment is six years.

One of the real benefits of securing a microloan has nothing to do with the money. The non-profits that serve as intermediary lenders also provide a significant level of management training and coaching. For example, a lender may require a prospective borrower to participate in a class and receive assistance in writing a business plan.

Another benefit is speed. The process of applying, qualifying for, and obtaining a microloan usually ranges between a few days and three weeks, depending upon the amount of funds needed, the procedures employed by the lender, and the degree of preparation on the part of the borrower. To speed the process along, it's a good idea to assemble as much paperwork as possible in advance. Borrowers should be prepared to provide tax returns, financial statements for existing businesses, bank account records, and proof of collateral.

To find out about lenders in your area, you can phone 1-800-U ASK SBA. Or use the following link to get a list of lenders nationwide: http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Microloan-Lender-Participants

2003 - 2005 © Jillian Coleman Wheeler

Jillian Coleman Wheeler is a Grants and Business Consultant. Her website, http://www.GrantMeRich.com, is a resource site for entrepreneurs, grant writers and consultants, and offers online training for grants consultants. She is also author of The New American Land Rush: How to Buy Real Estate with Government Money. For information: http://www.NewAmericanLandRush.com You may reprint this article, if you credit the author and include this resource box. Please notify the author of publication information: jillian@grantmerich.com

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Loan - Golden Tips

So, you want to get a loan?

Here are some simple tips that will help you make an informed decision about what kind to get, and who to get it from.

First ask yourself: do you really need it?

Can you manage without it? Is it for something frivolous, like a holiday? Could you get the money by other means: part-time job, from a relative, the sale an asset?

Don't put a monkey on your back if you can avoid it.

A loan varies according to:

The amount borrowed;

The interest rate;

The type of rate (fixed or variable);

The term (repayment time in months or years);

Deposit (downpayment);

Associated fees (broker, origination, prepayment etc.);

Insurance required by the lender.

You are buying money for more than it cost the lender. Simple.

It's a mistake to only care about the interest rate; there are also arrangement fees and prepayment penalties to consider. Many 'no fee' credit lines have a pre-payment penalty. This is how brokers and lenders make their money. Work out the total cost of your loan before committing.

To ensure you get the best terms, keep your credit-line as small as possible. Loan officers tend to count the total line of credit available as a liability.

Pay off small debts before the due date. Cancel credit cards you are not using. Consider their interest rates and fees, when deciding which cards to keep.

If your spending is out of control, don't put your home at risk by getting a home equity credit line to pay off your credit-card debts.

Shop for rates when the market is calm. Rates change from day to day, so compare lenders. The quotes you get should all be from the same time period.

Submit a neat application form; it shows you're business-like and efficient. It will be read and assessed by a human being; appearances count.

Only pay up-front fees to well-known institutions, or ones highly recommended by trusted sources.

Don't sign documents without reading them. As soon as possible, before you close the deal, review the documents you'll be signing, and make sure you understand them, so you won't have to sign them in a hurry.

Keep a copy of every cheque you write for your loan. If you call your lender about your loan, make sure you get the full name of the person with whom you speak. Make a note of it. You may be dealing with a large bureaucracy, and will need to refer to this conversation later.

If you find yourself in a dispute with a lender, don't send correspondence to the same address you send your payment. You need to deal with the decision-makers, not the account clerks.

About the author: T. O' Donnell (http://www.tigertom.com/personal-loans-uk.shtml) offers personal loans, advice, an ebook and a loan calculator, in London, UK.


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Microloan
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