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Money Lending Business

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How to Start a Money Lending Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on June 15, 2022 Updated on June 5, 2024

Investment range

$8,550 - $18,100

Revenue potential

$72,000 - $300,000 p.a.

Time to build

3 – 6 months

Profit potential

$58,000 - $120,000 p.a.

Industry trend

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be,” Shakespeare warned. Yet many have ignored his advice and today non-bank loans represent a $7 billion US industry. You could make good money with your own money lending business, as you’ll charge a higher interest rate and fees than those charged by banks because of the additional risk involved.

But before you start searching for investors, you’ll need to understand the process of launching a business. Luckily, this step-by-step guide has all the information you need to put you on the road to entrepreneurial success as a lender. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Before we get into the details, it’s important to clarify the type of business under discussion. Money lending businesses provide capital to individuals, generally those who cannot qualify for traditional bank loans. Money lending businesses can be structured in a number of ways:

• Private Lending – With a private lending company, you’d be lending your own personal funds to individuals, either unsecured or secured by collateral.
• Hard Money Lending – You would form relationships with money brokers and investors who would put up capital for you to use to make loans. The brokers or investors will take the interest earned and you would charge borrowers a loan fee.
• P2P Lending – Peer-to-peer lending is usually online and is basically a money lending app that connects individual lenders and borrowers. The P2P lending company usually takes a fee for the loan service. 

This article will focus mainly on a hard money lending business, which requires much less capital to start. Even so, starting a money lending business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Good Money – Make 3-5% of each loan up front
• Flexibility – Run your business from home
• Large Market – Customers can be anywhere
• Build Relationships – Takes time to find investors, clients
• Attorney Fees – Need a prospectus for investors, plus loan documents

Money lending industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US installment loan industry was worth $6.7 billion in 2021 after declining 1.3% annually over the previous five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/installment-lenders-industry/ ))
• Growth forecast – The US installment loan industry is projected to continue to modestly decline over the next five years. 
• Number of businesses – In 2021, 19,551 installment loan businesses were operating in the US. 
• Number of people employed – In 2021, the US installment loan industry employed 106,935 people. 

Trends and challenges

Trends in the money lending industry include:

• Hard money loans are growing in size and more often used for home purchases. This means higher fees for hard money lenders.
• More and more cross-border hard money loans are being made due to investors wanting to expand their reach globally.

Challenges in the money lending industry include:

• Money lenders have come under much scrutiny for alleged predatory lending practices and the high rates and fees they charge.
• Regulations are continuously tightening on money lenders, creating obstacles to doing business.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for lenders are South Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan.(( https://www.zippia.com/lender-jobs/best-states/ ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for lenders are Indiana, Tennessee, and Virginia.

What kind of people work in money lending?

• Gender – 50.8% of lenders are female, while 49.2% are male . (( https://www.zippia.com/lender-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average lender has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average lender in the US is 44.9 years old.

How much does it cost to start a money lending business?

If you decide to start a hard money lending business, your startup costs will range from $8,000 to $18,000. The largest cost will be attorney fees. You will need a prospectus to give to potential investors detailing how you will do business and how they will get a return on their investments. Such documents are complicated and costly. You’ll also need a website and a marketing budget.

How much can you earn from a money lending business?

Hard money lenders typically take a 3% to 5% fee of the total loan amount. Since a large portion of the loans you make will be for homes, these calculations will assume an average loan amount of $150,000, which would give you an average fee of $6,000 per loan. 

The interest paid on the loans will go to the investors. Your profit margin should be high, at around 80%. In your first year or two, you could do 12 loans a year, bringing in $72,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $57,600 in profit, assuming that 80% margin. 

As you build a reputation, you could increase that number to 50 loans a year. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 40%. With annual revenue of $300,000, you’d make a handsome profit of $120,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

The only barrier to entry for a money lending business is building relationships with investors, which often takes a lot of networking and leg work.

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a money lending business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research money lending businesses in your area to examine their products and services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a micro lending company or a money lender that will provide a business line of credit. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as term loans for those with bad credit, or hard money startup loans.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your services

You’ll need to determine what types of loans to offer, and how you will evaluate credit scores to determine whether to make the loans. You’ll need to lay out specific lending criteria in your investor prospectus. 

As far as the types of loans, you can offer mortgage loans, business loans, personal unsecured loans, car loans, or lines of credit. 

How much should you charge for money lending?

Hard money lenders typically take a 3% to 5% fee of the total loan amount. The interest paid on the loans will go to the investors. The interest rates you charge will depend on the interest rate limits in your state. Working alone, your profit margin should be high, at around 80%.

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will generally be anyone with bad credit who needs a loan. You should market on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn, which is also a good way to connect with potential investors. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Money Lending Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “money lending” or “hard money loans”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Instant Money Solutions” over “Home Sweet Loan”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Money Lending Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A brief summary of the business plan, highlighting its key points and objectives.
• Business Overview: An overview of the money lending business, including its mission, vision, and legal structure.
• Product and Services: Details about the types of loans or financial services offered, including terms, interest rates, and eligibility criteria.
• Market Analysis: An examination of the target market, including size, demographics, and trends, to identify potential customers.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the lending industry, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for attracting and retaining customers, including advertising and promotional efforts.
• Management Team: Introduction to the individuals leading the business, highlighting their qualifications and roles.
• Operations Plan: Information on day-to-day operations, such as loan application processing, risk management, and customer support.
• Financial Plan: Projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability, as well as funding requirements and financial forecasts.
• Appendix: Supporting documents, such as legal agreements, market research data, or additional information to enhance the plan’s credibility.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to money lenders.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your money lending business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital: Venture capital investors take an ownership stake in exchange for funds, so keep in mind that you’d be sacrificing some control over your business. This is generally only available for businesses with high growth potential.
• Angel investors: Reach out to your entire network in search of people interested in investing in early-stage startups in exchange for a stake. Established angel investors are always looking for good opportunities. 
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a money lending business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Money Lending Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a money lending business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

You’ll need to meet the requirements to be a licensed money lender in your state. You’ll also need to follow federal and state regulations on lending practices. 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your money lending business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as  HES , Black Knight , or Moneylender , to manage your loan processes, accounts, credit checks, and fees. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Targeted Local Advertising: Utilize local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and radio stations to advertise your services, ensuring your message reaches the right audience within your community.
• Strategic Partnerships: Forge partnerships with local businesses like real estate agencies or car dealerships, creating a referral system where they recommend your lending services to their clients.
• Educational Seminars: Host free financial literacy seminars in your community to position yourself as an expert and attract potential borrowers seeking valuable insights into managing their finances.
• Social Media Engagement: Leverage social media platforms to engage with your audience, share financial tips, and create a community around your brand, fostering trust and credibility.
• Customer Testimonials: Showcase satisfied clients through testimonials in your marketing materials, emphasizing success stories and building credibility among potential borrowers.
• Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program offering incentives or discounted rates for repeat borrowers, encouraging customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Direct Mail Campaigns: Design targeted direct mail campaigns to reach specific demographics, using compelling offers or promotions to capture the attention of potential borrowers.
• Online Reviews and Ratings: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on online platforms, enhancing your online reputation and influencing potential borrowers in their decision-making process.
• Community Involvement: Actively participate in local events and sponsor community initiatives to increase your brand visibility and foster a positive image within the community.
• Referral Programs: Develop a referral program where existing customers are rewarded for referring new borrowers, creating a network of advocates who vouch for your services.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your money lending business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your money lending business could be:

• Bad credit? We can put you back in the black 
• Mortgage loan denied? We’ll finance your new home 
• Affordable loans to build your business

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a money lending business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in money lending for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in money lending businesses. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a money lending business include:

• Loan Processors – handle loan paperwork
• Loan Originators – take loan applications, get loan informational documents
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Money Lending Business – Start Making Money!

Money lenders provide a valuable service to people unable to obtain loans, which is why it’s big business. If you can build solid relationships with investors and are committed to helping people, you could build a lucrative lending operation, even starting from your own home! 

Now that you know what’s involved from a business perspective, it’s time to launch your successful money lending business. 

• Money Lending Business FAQs

You can make a 3% to 5% fee on each loan amount, so it can be very profitable. The key is to build relationships with investors who will fund your loans.

To differentiate your money lending business, focus on providing competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, exceptional customer service, quick loan processing, transparency in fees and charges, and personalized financial solutions tailored to individual borrower needs.

Yes, you can start a money lending business on the side, but it requires careful consideration of legal and regulatory requirements, managing risk effectively, and ensuring proper time management and resources to handle both your main job and the lending business.

Assess the creditworthiness of potential borrowers by conducting thorough credit checks, verifying their income and employment stability, reviewing their credit history and repayment patterns, and considering any collateral or guarantors provided. Additionally, evaluate their debt-to-income ratio and analyze their financial statements to gauge their ability to repay the loan.

Expand your money lending business by partnering with local businesses, using digital marketing, offering referral incentives, exploring new regions, providing online loan applications, and improving your reputation with positive reviews.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Money Lending Business Name
• Create a Money Lending Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Money Lending Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Money Lending Business - Start Making Money!

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How to Write a Successful Business Plan for a Loan

Lisa A. Anthony is a lead writer on NerdWallet’s small-business team, primarily covering small-business lending. She has over 20 years of diverse experience in finance, lending and taxes. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Lisa worked as a writer for Intuit Turbo Tax, loan officer for Bank of America and a business analyst for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to interact directly with consumers on lending products and tax preparation software. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post and Entrepreneur, among other publications.

Sally Lauckner is an editor on NerdWallet's small-business team. She has over 15 years of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet in 2020, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content and specializing in business financing. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She is based in New York City.

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Table of Contents

What does a loan business plan include?

What lenders look for in a business plan, business plan for loan examples, resources for writing a business plan.

A comprehensive and well-written business plan can be used to persuade lenders that your business is worth investing in and hopefully, improve your chances of getting approved for a small-business loan . Many lenders will ask that you include a business plan along with other documents as part of your loan application.

When writing a business plan for a loan, you’ll want to highlight your abilities, justify your need for capital and prove your ability to repay the debt. 

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

A successful business plan for a loan describes your financial goals and how you’ll achieve them. Although business plan components can vary from company to company, there are a few sections that are typically included in most plans.

These sections will help provide lenders with an overview of your business and explain why they should approve you for a loan.  

Executive summary

The executive summary is used to spark interest in your business. It may include high-level information about you, your products and services, your management team, employees, business location and financial details. Your mission statement can be added here as well.

To help build a lender’s confidence in your business, you can also include a concise overview of your growth plans in this section.

Company overview

The company overview is an area to describe the strengths of your business. If you didn’t explain what problems your business will solve in the executive summary, do it here. 

Highlight any experts on your team and what gives you a competitive advantage. You can also include specific details about your business such as when it was founded, your business entity type and history.

Products and services

Use this section to demonstrate the need for what you’re offering. Describe your products and services and explain how customers will benefit from having them. 

Detail any equipment or materials that you need to provide your goods and services — this may be particularly helpful if you’re looking for equipment or inventory financing . You’ll also want to disclose any patents or copyrights in this section.

Market analysis

Here you can demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and showcase your understanding of your industry, current outlook, trends, target market and competitors.

You can add details about your target market that include where you’ll find customers, ways you plan to market to them and how your products and services will be delivered to them.

» MORE: How to write a market analysis for a business plan

Marketing and sales plan

Your marketing and sales plan provides details on how you intend to attract your customers and build a client base. You can also explain the steps involved in the sale and delivery of your product or service.

At a high level, this section should identify your sales goals and how you plan to achieve them — showing a lender how you’re going to make money to repay potential debt.

Operational plan

The operational plan section covers the physical requirements of operating your business on a day-to-day basis. Depending on your type of business, this may include location, facility requirements, equipment, vehicles, inventory needs and supplies. Production goals, timelines, quality control and customer service details may also be included.

Management team

This section illustrates how your business will be organized. You can list the management team, owners, board of directors and consultants with details about their experience and the role they will play at your company. This is also a good place to include an organizational chart .

From this section, a lender should understand why you and your team are qualified to run a business and why they should feel confident lending you money — even if you’re a startup.

Funding request

In this section, you’ll explain the amount of money you’re requesting from the lender and why you need it. You’ll describe how the funds will be used and how you intend to repay the loan.

You may also discuss any funding requirements you anticipate over the next five years and your strategic financial plans for the future.

» Need help writing? Learn about the best business plan software .

Financial statements

When you’re writing a business plan for a loan, this is one of the most important sections. The goal is to use your financial statements to prove to a lender that your business is stable and will be able to repay any potential debt. 

In this section, you’ll want to include three to five years of income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets. It can also be helpful to include an expense analysis, break-even analysis, capital expenditure budgets, projected income statements and projected cash flow statements. If you have collateral that you could put up to secure a loan, you should list it in this section as well.

If you’re a startup that doesn’t have much historical data to provide, you’ll want to include estimated costs, revenue and any other future projections you may have. Graphs and charts can be useful visual aids here.

In general, the more data you can use to show a lender your financial security, the better.

Finally, if necessary, supporting information and documents can be added in an appendix section. This may include credit histories, resumes, letters of reference, product pictures, licenses, permits, contracts and other legal documents.

Lenders will typically evaluate your loan application based on the five C’s — or characteristics — of credit : character, capacity, capital, conditions and collateral. Although your business plan won't contain everything a lender needs to complete its assessment, the document can highlight your strengths in each of these areas.

A lender will assess your character by reviewing your education, business experience and credit history. This assessment may also be extended to board members and your management team. Highlights of your strengths can be worked into the following sections of your business plan:

Executive summary.

Company overview.

Management team.

Capacity centers on your ability to repay the loan. Lenders will be looking at the revenue you plan to generate, your expenses, cash flow and your loan payment plan. This information can be included in the following sections:

Funding request.

Financial statements.

Capital is the amount of money you have invested in your business. Lenders can use it to judge your financial commitment to the business. You can use any of the following sections to highlight your financial commitment:

Operational plan.

Conditions refers to the purpose and market for your products and services. Lenders will be looking for information such as product demand, competition and industry trends. Information for this can be included in the following sections:

Market analysis.

Products and services.

Marketing and sales plan.

Collateral is an asset pledged to a lender to guarantee the repayment of a loan. This can be equipment, inventory, vehicles or something else of value. Use the following sections to include information on assets:

» MORE: How to get a business loan

Writing a business plan for a loan application can be intimidating, especially when you’re just getting started. It may be helpful to use a business plan template or refer to an existing sample as you’re going through the draft process.

Here are a few examples that you may find useful:

Business Plan Outline — Colorado Small Business Development Center

Business Plan Template — Iowa Small Business Development Center

Writing a Business Plan — Maine Small Business Development Center

Business Plan Workbook — Capital One

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See our overall favorites, or narrow it down by category to find the best options for you.

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U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA offers a free self-paced course on writing a business plan. The course includes several videos, objectives for you to accomplish, as well as worksheets you can complete.

SCORE. SCORE, a nonprofit organization and resource partner of the SBA, offers free assistance that includes a step-by-step downloadable template to help startups create a business plan, and mentors who can review and refine your plan virtually or in person.

Small Business Development Centers. Similarly, your local SBDC can provide assistance with business planning and finding access to capital. These organizations also have virtual and in-person training courses, as well as opportunities to consult with business experts.

Business plan software. Although many business plan software platforms require a subscription, these tools can be useful if you want a templated approach that can break the process down for you step-by-step. Many of these services include a range of examples and templates, instruction videos and guides, and financial dashboards, among other features. You may also be able to use a free trial before committing to one of these software options.

A loan business plan outlines your business’s objectives, products or services, funding needs and finances. The goal of this document is to convince lenders that they should approve you for a business loan.

Not all lenders will require a business plan, but you’ll likely need one for bank and SBA loans. Even if it isn’t required, however, a lean business plan can be used to bolster your loan application.

Lenders ask for a business plan because they want to know that your business is and will continue to be financially stable. They want to know how you make money, spend money and plan to achieve your financial goals. All of this information allows them to assess whether you’ll be able to repay a loan and decide if they should approve your application.

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How to Start a Money Lending Business

Last Updated: April 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 334,123 times.

If you want to start a money lending business, you will need to decide what kinds of loans you want to make—payday, mortgage, or installment loans. You may choose to start a lending business using only your own money or money from a group of investors. Starting a money lending business will require that you develop a business plan and gain the necessary government licenses.

Preparing to Start the Business

• You should search your state’s business filing office to find out if a name has already been taken.

• Executive summary. You will need to briefly describe the nature of your business and why you think it will be successful. The executive summary should contain your mission statement as well as company information. As a startup, you should focus on explaining how your experience and background will contribute to the business’s success.
• Company description. Explain the nature of the business, your intended market, and the market needs your lending business will satisfy. For example, you might want to meet the small loan needs of your community, which are underserved.
• Also identify your competitors and describe their strength or weakness in the market.
• Product line. Describe the loans you want to make. You should explain the advantages of your loans over those of competitor’s.
• Marketing and sales. Discuss your overall sales strategy, including your plans for growth. For example, you may hope to grow geographically, offering your loans to a larger community. Or you might hope to grow by offering additional types of loans to your current market.
• Financial projections. Based on your market analysis, you should forecast your projected finances for five-years out.

• Some money lenders have dipped into their retirement accounts, such as their IRAs and 401(k) accounts, to fund their loans. Experts encourage money lenders who do this to understand the risks that they are taking. For example, loans might not be repaid, in which case you could lose a large percentage of the loan amount. [3] X Research source
• If you seek funding from investors, then you will need to work closely with a lawyer to draft a prospectus to share with investors. State and federal laws tightly regulate how you advertise securities to potential investors. Your lawyer will need to be experienced in securities regulation.

• Generally, you will assess risk by gathering information about the loan applicant’s financial history. For example, you would want to look at their income, FICO score, and other debt load. [4] X Research source

• To find an experienced business lawyer, you can visit your state’s bar association website, which should run a referral program.
• You can research any attorney by visiting his or her website. Look for experience with business formation, as well as banking or lending experience. If you are starting a lending business for real estate, then look for an attorney who has real estate experience as well.

• You can purchase your domain name from various registrars. Search the internet for “where to purchase domain name” and look at the different companies that provide this service.

Registering Your Business

• To incorporate, you will have to file articles of incorporation with your state. Your attorney should be able to get them, or you can get them yourself from your Secretary of State.

• In addition to state licenses, you may need municipal or local licenses. You must contact your state business licenses office and search for applicable licenses or permits. The Small Business Administration has links to each state’s office at https://www.sba.gov/content/what-state-licenses-and-permits-does-your-business-need .

• Not every state requires that you register a “doing business as” name. You can check registration requirements with your Secretary of State office as well as with your county clerk’s office.

• You should check with your attorney whether or not you need to register the securities and which agency you need to register with.

• You can apply for an EIN online. This is the preferred method. [6] X Trustworthy Source Internal Revenue Service U.S. government agency in charge of managing the Federal Tax Code Go to source To start the application, visit the EIN Assistant at https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp .
• You can also apply by mail or fax by printing off Form SS-4 available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf . To find out where to mail or fax your form, you should visit the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-your-taxes-for-form-ss-4 .

• Under federal law, specifically the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are prohibited from harassing or abusing the customer that owes you money. [7] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Independent U.S. government agency focused on consumer protection Go to source Also, you cannot use false, deceptive, or misleading means to collect any debt. [8] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Independent U.S. government agency focused on consumer protection Go to source If you fail to obey federal law, you and your business could face stiff civil penalties. [9] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Independent U.S. government agency focused on consumer protection Go to source
• Each state will also have laws prohibiting certain debt collection activities. For example, in Iowa, you are prohibited from making illegal threats or from coercing or attempting to coerce a customer into paying a debt. [10] X Research source

• To find a compliance professional, you can ask your lawyer for recommendations. Alternately, if you met anyone at a national conference or panel, you could contact them for a recommendation.

Launching Your Business

• Rent is often one of the largest expenses for a new business. Accordingly, you should budget and not spend more than you can afford.
• Try to negotiate a one- to two-year lease with an option to renew. Because you don’t know if your business will be successful or not, you shouldn’t sign an initial lease for longer than that.
• Find out what other expenses you might incur in addition to the rent. For example, you could have to pay for maintenance and repair, upkeep, and utilities.
• Negotiate some add-on clauses, such as a right to sublease or an exclusivity clause (which prevents a landlord from leasing to a direct competitor at the same location).

• Business tax identification number (or Social Security Number if sole proprietor)
• Business license
• Business name filing document
• Articles of incorporation with corporate officers listed (for a corporation)

• If you are lending money for real estate, you will need not only the promissory note but also the mortgage note. Lenders working in the real estate field also typically use other documents, such as Letters of Intent (LOI) and preliminary title reports. [13] X Research source You should ask your attorney or compliance professional about what other contracts are necessary.
• For more information on loan agreements, see Write a Loan Agreement.

• If you want to make a few loans to acquaintances or people in your neighborhood, you could rely on word of mouth. However, if you want to reach a larger market or grow more quickly, then you should consider advertising in newspapers or online.
• You should also consider advertising in the form of imprinting your company name on pens, paper, calendars, and other giveaway items.

Expert Q&A

• Some experts recommend that you lend locally, preferably within 100 miles of your physical location. [14] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Running a collateral-free loan is an added advantage to run a successful lending business. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 6
• You should not underestimate the amount of work it will take to start a money lending business. If you find it difficult to write a business plan, you might want to rethink your objectives. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 5

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.profitableventure.com/starting-a-micro-money-lending-business/
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/writing-business-plan
• ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/loan.asp
• ↑ http://www.creditinfocenter.com/mortgage/guidelines.shtml
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business
• ↑ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
• ↑ https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text
• ↑ http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/iowa-fair-debt-collection-laws.html
• ↑ https://www.pacificprivatemoney.com/6-tips-for-a-successful-private-lending-practice/
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/buy-assets-equipment
• ↑ http://www.fortunebuilders.com/becoming-private-money-lender-part-2-breaking-private-money-loan/

About This Article

To start a money lending business, you’ll need to draft a business plan and obtain the necessary licenses by completing the paperwork required by your state. Your business plan will need to include the types of loans you want to make, such as payday or mortgage, and strategies for how to grow your business. That way, you can attract potential investors, which is typically less risky than using your own savings. You should, however, work with an attorney experienced in securities to ensure you acquire your investments legally. Your lawyer can also help you apply for the needed licenses and register your business as a corporation, sole proprietorship, or whichever type of company you choose to be. For more advice from our Legal co-author, like how to advertise your new business, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Why Do I Need a Business Plan?

Sections of a business plan, the bottom line.

• Small Business

How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan

How to secure business financing

Matt Webber is an experienced personal finance writer, researcher, and editor. He has published widely on personal finance, marketing, and the impact of technology on contemporary arts and culture.

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A business plan is a document that explains what a company’s objectives are and how it will achieve them. It contains a road map for the company from a marketing, financial, and operational standpoint. Some business plans are more detailed than others, but they are used by all types of businesses, from large, established companies to small startups.

If you are applying for a business loan , your lender may want to see your business plan. Your plan can prove that you understand your market and your business model and that you are realistic about your goals. Even if you don’t need a business plan to apply for a loan, writing one can improve your chances of securing finance.

Key Takeaways

• Many lenders will require you to write a business plan to support your loan application.
• Though every business plan is different, there are a number of sections that appear in every business plan.
• A good business plan will define your company’s strategic priorities for the coming years and explain how you will try to achieve growth.
• Lenders will assess your plan against the “five Cs”: character, capacity, capital, conditions, and collateral.

There are many reasons why all businesses should have a business plan . A business plan can improve the way that your company operates, but a well-written plan is also invaluable for attracting investment.

On an operational level, a well-written business plan has several advantages. A good plan will explain how a company is going to develop over time and will lay out the risks and contingencies that it may encounter along the way.

A business plan can act as a valuable strategic guide, reminding executives of their long-term goals amid the chaos of day-to-day business. It also allows businesses to measure their own success—without a plan, it can be difficult to determine whether a business is moving in the right direction.

A business plan is also valuable when it comes to dealing with external organizations. Indeed, banks and venture capital firms often require a viable business plan before considering whether they’ll provide capital to new businesses.

Even if a business is well-established, lenders may want to see a solid business plan before providing financing. Lenders want to reduce their risk, so they want to see that a business has a serious and realistic plan in place to generate income and repay the loan.

Every business is different, and so is every business plan. Nevertheless, most business plans contain a number of generic sections. Common sections are: executive summary, company overview, products and services, market analysis, marketing and sales plan, operational plan, and management team. If you are applying for a loan, you should also include a funding request and financial statements.

Let’s look at each section in more detail.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a summary of the information in the rest of your business plan, but it’s also where you can create interest in your business.

You should include basic information about your business, including what you do, where you are based, your products, and how long you’ve been in business. You can also mention what inspired you to start your business, your key successes so far, and your growth plans.

Company Overview

In this section, focus on the core strengths of your business, the problem you want to solve, and how you plan to address it.

Here, you should also mention any key advantages that your business has over your competitors, whether this is operating in a new market or a unique approach to an existing one. You should also include key statistics in this section, such as your annual turnover and number of employees.

Products and Services

In this section, provide some details of what you sell. A lender doesn’t need to know all the technical details of your products but will want to see that they are desirable.

You can also include information on how you make your products, or how you provide your services. This information will be useful to a lender if you are looking for financing to grow your business.

Market Analysis

A market analysis is a core section of your business plan. Here, you need to demonstrate that you understand the market you are operating in, and how you are different from your competitors. If you can find statistics on your market, and particularly on how it is projected to grow over the next few years, put them in this section.

Marketing and Sales Plan

Your marketing and sales plan gives details on what kind of new customers you are looking to attract, and how you are going to connect with them. This section should contain your sales goals and link these to marketing or advertising that you are planning.

If you are looking to expand into a new market, or to reach customers that you haven’t before, you should explain the risks and opportunities of doing so.

Operational Plan

This section explains the basic requirements of running your business on a day-to-day basis. Your exact requirements will vary depending on the type of business you run, but be as specific as possible.

If you need to rent office space, for example, you should include the cost in your operational plan. You should also include the cost of staff, equipment, and any raw materials required to run your business.

Management Team

The management team section is one of the most important sections in your business plan if you are applying for a loan. Your lender will want reassurance that you have a skilled, experienced, competent, and reliable senior management team in place.

Even if you have a small team, you should explain what makes each person qualified for their position. If you have a large team, you should include an organizational chart to explain how your team is structured.

Funding Request

If you are applying for a loan, you should add a funding request. This is where you explain how much money you are looking to borrow, and explain in detail how you are going to use it.

The most important part of the funding-request section is to explain how the loan you are asking for would improve the profitability of your business, and therefore allow you to repay your loan.

Financial Statements

Most lenders will also ask you to provide evidence of your business finances as part of your application. Graphs and charts are often a useful addition to this section, because they allow your lender to understand your finances at a glance.

The overall goal of providing financial statements is to show that your business is profitable and stable. Include three to five years of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. It can also be useful to provide further analysis, as well as projections of how your business will grow in the coming years.

What Do Lenders Look for in a Business Plan?

Lenders want to see that your business is stable, that you understand the market you are operating in, and that you have realistic plans for growth.

Your lender will base their decision on what are known as the “five Cs.” These are:

• Character : You can stress your good character in your executive summary, company overview, and your management team section.
• Capacity : This is, essentially, your ability to repay the loan. Your lender will look at your growth plans, your funding request, and your financial statements in order to assess this.
• Capital : This is the amount of money you already have in your business. The larger and more established your business is, the more likely you are to be approved for finance, so highlight your capital throughout your business plan.
• Conditions : Conditions refer to market conditions. In your market analysis, you should be able to prove that your business is well-positioned in relation to your target market and competitors.
• Collateral : Depending on your loan, you may be asked to provide collateral , so you should provide information on the assets you own in your operational plan.

How Long Does It Take to Write a Business Plan?

The length of time it takes to write a business plan depends on your business, but you should take your time to ensure it is thorough and correct. A business plan has advantages beyond applying for a loan, providing a strategic focus for your business.

What Should You Avoid When Writing a Business Plan?

The most common mistake that business owners make when writing a business plan is to be unrealistic about their growth potential. Your lender is likely to spot overly optimistic growth projections, so try to keep it reasonable.

Should I Hire Someone to Write a Business Plan for My Business?

You can hire someone to write a business plan for your business, but it can often be better to write it yourself. You are likely to understand your business better than an external consultant.

Writing a business plan can benefit your business, whether you are applying for a loan or not. A good business plan can help you develop strategic priorities and stick to them. It describes how you are going to grow your business, which can be valuable to lenders, who will want to see that you are able to repay a loan that you are applying for.

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Write Your Business Plan .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Market Research and Competitive Analysis .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Fund Your Business .”

Navy Federal Credit Union. “ The 5 Cs of Credit .”

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How to Write a Professional Business Plan for a Loan

• March 27, 2024

11 Min Read

So, are you thinking of getting a loan or funding to start an exciting business journey?

That’s great! But before you go any further, it’s very important to have a solid business plan in place.

Well, we understand that creating a successful plan for a loan can be a daunting task. That’s why we’re here to help you!

This investment-ready business plan template for loans will help you include all the essential elements in your plan, from summarizing your business concept to projecting the financial data. It not only impresses business loan lenders but also sets the stage for success.

Ready to get started? Let’s first understand how business plans will help you with loan proposals.

How business plans help in loan applications?

A business plan is a professional document that serves as a written loan proposal if you want to secure a loan for capital investment. It details every aspect of your business, including its concept, goals, market opportunity, and financial data.

Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a small business owner, you’ll need a well-prepared business plan. It helps you persuade potential investors or lenders of its viability and potential for success.

Here are a few primary reasons why business plans are necessary in loan applications:

It helps you showcase your vision

A well-written business plan communicates your business vision effectively and allows you to demonstrate your clarity of purpose and strategic direction. It offers lenders a compelling narrative of what your business is aimed for and how it will achieve its goals.

It helps you prove your financial feasibility

Well, lenders need assurance that they’re making a wise investment. A detailed business plan presents them with realistic financial projections, along with how your business will earn money and repay the loan. This infuses confidence in lenders and convinces them that your business is a safe bet.

It helps you mitigate potential risks

Once you start your business, it naturally involves fair enough risks. However, a good business plan clarifies that you’re aware of those challenges and have backup plans or strategies to mitigate them. This shows lenders that you’ve considered different situations and keep contingency plans in place.

It helps you demonstrate your preparedness

A business plan shows lenders that you’ve carefully outlined every aspect of your business—from conducting market analysis to predicting finances. It assures that you’re serious about your business and well-prepared to manage the ups and downs of starting a business.

In short, having a solid business plan can be the cornerstone of a successful loan application that explains your business idea and how you plan to utilize the loan money to get started.

Now that you know how business plans help in a loan application, it’s time to check out and understand the key elements of a business plan for a loan template.

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Key components of a successful business plan for a loan

1. executive summary.

An executive summary is the first section of the plan, providing a concise overview of the entire business plan.

Generally, it is written in the last, as it summarizes the most important components you mentioned in your plan.

Since the potential investors or lenders would read this section first, make sure that you keep it simple, crisp, and compelling to build their confidence in your business. Also, it should not be more than 1 or 2 pages.

You may write your executive summary with a precise explanation of your business concept, the type of business you operate, and its status.

Here are a few primary elements you must add to your summary:

• Your company’s mission statement
• The product or service you intend to offer
• Market Opportunity
• Management team’s background and experience
• Growth plans or long-term objectives
• Financial projections and funding needs

2. Company Overview

As you’ll give a brief introduction in the executive summary, this chapter will expand on it, providing an in-depth understanding of your business.

Company description includes all the business-related facts, such as the startup concept, vision-mission statements, company location, etc. Also, it explains the problems or challenges you aim to solve.

In addition to that, consider answering a few questions that would help lenders to grasp the significance of your business:

• What is the legal structure of your business?
• Who is the business owner?
• Do you have any business partners?
• Why did you start this business, and when it was founded?
• What are your business accomplishments to date?
• Who will get benefits from your company’s product or service?

Note that the company overview section can be regarded as your extended elevator pitch.

So, it’s a good opportunity to present your business’s specific details and structural aspects that the financing partner needs to know.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section provides readers with a deep understanding of the specific industry or market in which you plan to serve.

This seems unnecessary but serves different purposes. Those who are looking to fund a franchise business should do some serious work for this section, as lenders will review it very closely.

To carefully draft this section, you should conduct thorough market research and industry analysis to define your target customers, industry trends, market demand, and competitors.

This will demonstrate that you understand the market dynamics and validate the demand for your products or services.

Here are a few elements you should include in your market analysis section:

• Ideal target market
• Market size and growth potential
• Customer segments
• Competitive analysis
• Emerging trends
• Applicable government regulations

4. Product or Service Offerings

In this section, you may provide a detailed description of your products and service offerings, along with their features, benefits, and pricing structure.

It helps you highlight what your business offers to its ideal customers, how your offerings will satisfy their needs and explains the value proposition of your products or services.

You may consider including these points in the product or service section:

• A brief description of your product & service
• Pricing details
• Intellectual property, copyright, and patent filings
• Quality measures
• Any additional offerings

5. Sales and Marketing Strategies

Your marketing and sales plan elucidates how you intend to market your products or services in greater detail. It helps you outline the marketing and sales strategies you’ll use to attract and retain potential customers.

The primary goal is to give a flexible and practical marketing and sales strategy that persuades the lenders you know how to advertise or develop a public relations campaign to reach the company’s revenue goals.

For a well-crafted marketing plan, you might consider adding the following details in your plan:

• Your target audience and brand positioning
• Detailed marketing strategy
• Sales and marketing goals and KPIs
• Sales and marketing budgets
• Customer retention plan

While reviewing your loan application, lenders would like to know how you plan to make money and how you overcome marketing and sales challenges, so ensure that this strategy is always relevant.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section provides a clear picture of your company’s day-to-day operations and activities. It is a detailed-oriented section that outlines how you’ll manage to run your business smoothly.

Also, operational excellence is necessary to achieve your goals, satisfy client commitments, and maximize results. So, try to mention your operational intricacies and showcase efficient systems and processes.

Here are a list of details you must include in your operations plan:

• Staffing & training
• Operational processes
• Inventory needs and supplies
• facilities & technology
• Regulatory compliance

By offering insights into these operational aspects, this section helps you instill confidence in lenders about your ability to effectively handle and grow your company.

7. Management Team

Your management team section introduces the key individuals who are responsible for driving your business ahead.

It helps lenders easily understand your team’s roles & responsibilities, educational qualifications, industry experience, and how you plan to compensate your leadership team.

Even this will assure lenders that your team is capable enough to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and reach strategic objectives. Also, they feel confident giving you a loan—even if it’s your startup.

So, you may consider including the below information:

• Company owner profile
• Resume-styled summary of key executives
• Organizational chart
• Compensation plan
• Details of advisory board members(if any)

8. Financial Plan

A well-written and comprehensive financial plan is one of the most crucial sections of your plan, as it helps you prove to lenders your business’s financial health, growth potential, and ability to repay the business loan.

So, your financial analysis must include the projected financial statements for three years or more. The following are the key financial projections that you should add:

• Income statements
• Cash flow statements
• Capital expenditure budgets
• Balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Funding requirements

As well as you should also list hard or soft collateral if you possess it so that you can put it up to get a loan. Even lenders may request to add more granular data(such as cost of sales or cost per product/service).

Note that if you’re a startup and don’t carry enough data to highlight, consider including estimated costs, revenue streams, and other strategic future projections you may have.

9. Appendix

The appendix is the last section of a professional business plan that typically provides supplementary information and other supporting documents the lender may need for better understanding.

You may include the following details in an appendix:

• Business licenses and permits
• Contractual agreements or other legal documents
• Letters of reference
• Credit histories and tax returns
• Key managers’ resumes and certificates
• Product photos

By adding these details, you offer more detailed explanations or validation for your business plan, strengthening your discussions and claims.

What factors do lenders look for in a business plan

When you submit a business plan to secure funding, lenders will analyze it to evaluate the viability and creditworthiness of your loan application. Here are several key factors they look for:

Character of your management team

Lenders will assess a business’ character that includes subjective or intangible qualities like whether its owners or key executives are perceived as honest, competent, or committed. Also, they consider educational background, industry experience, skills, leadership capabilities, and credit histories. This can be critical for evaluating prospects as most lenders don’t wish to lend to whom they don’t feel trustworthy.

Your capability to repay loans

Loan officers also spend a lot of time analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. They will thoroughly examine the financial statements such as projected revenue, expenses, cash flows, growth plans, and loan payments. Further, lenders analyze the financial history to see how much revenue you have generated or how much profit you have made in the past.

The capital amount you’re seeking

While reviewing loan applications, lenders will go through your financial information that highlights how much funding you’re seeking, how much cash you carry on hand, and how much debt you have. Also, they assess your personal financial investments as a sign of commitment and seriousness. So, make sure your business plan clearly outlines your investment amount and funding needs.

Collateral or personal guarantees

In some cases, lenders may request collateral or personal guarantees to secure the loan. Thus, you should document any assets or valuable items you can offer as collateral or additional security. Even lenders may still approve your loan without collateral if you have a good credit history and a reliable business plan.

By understanding these key considerations, you can prepare a business plan that resonates with the lender’s interests and concerns. Now, let’s move to a few business plan examples for a loan.

Business plan examples for a loan

When you’re just venturing into your entrepreneurship journey, crafting a comprehensive business plan for a loan application can be overwhelming.

So, try to consider some sample business plan templates or resources to get started on the first draft of your plan. Here are a few business plan examples that you may find helpful:

• Sample business plan outline
• Small business plan template
• Comprehensive business plan writing
• Business Plan Workbook for Loan Applications

Start preparing your business plan

Finally, you understand the importance and key elements of drafting a business plan for securing a loan or funding. But it requires some extra effort to find success down the road.

If you’re still confused about where to start, Upmetrics could be a great choice. It’s a modern business plan app that helps entrepreneurs or small business owners create an actionable plan quickly.

With Upmetrics, you’ll get easy-to-follow guides, a library of business plan templates , AI support, a financial forecasting tool, and other valuable resources to streamline your entire business planning approach.

So, don’t wait and start preparing your business plan for a loan!

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a business plan to get a loan.

Of course, most lenders or financial institutes require a solid business plan, even if you are a well-established business. A well-crafted business plan helps you highlight every essential information about your business and demonstrate to lenders that you have a realistic plan in place to generate income and repay the loan.

Can I write a business plan myself?

Definitely, you can write a business plan by yourself. Also, you can get help from various resources available, including business plan templates and guides, to create a comprehensive plan. But, if you’re unsure or need assistance, you may consider having a business plan software or hiring a professional writer.

How long should my business plan be?

The length of your business plan should be concise and focused, typically depending on its purpose. A one-page business plan is a single-page document, a lean or mini business plan comprises 1–10 pages, while a comprehensive business plan can range from 15 to 35 pages and beyond.

What's the most important element of a loan-seeking business plan?

The financial plan is the most crucial element of a loan-seeking business plan, as lenders want to check realistic and well-structured financial forecasts that present your ability to repay the loan. Also, this section can make or break a lender’s confidence and willingness to raise capital.

What format should I use?

It’s essential to select a format that can effectively convey your business idea, strategy, and financial projections to the lenders. Following are a few common options to consider:

• Traditional text-based document
• PowerPoint or Keynote presentation deck
• Executive summary or a pitch deck

So, whatever format you choose, it should align with your preferences, the lender requirements, and the complexity of your business.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Home » Blog » Business Loans » How To Write A Business Plan For A Loan

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How To Write A Business Plan For A Loan

A solid business plan is often critical to securing funding for your small business. Learn how to create a business plan for a loan that includes the information lenders want to see.

WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY

Lead Staff Writer

A business plan is a crucial business document you need to have on hand when applying for business loans. However, the mere thought of writing a business plan for a loan is intimidating to a lot of business owners.

A one-page business plan may be sufficient for certain types of small business loans (for example, online loans), but bank loans and SBA loans typically require a more in-depth business plan that delves further into your financials.

If you need to write a business plan for a loan, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about everything you need to include in your business plan to improve your chances for loan approval.

Table of Contents

What Is A Business Plan For A Loan?

10 key sections to include in your business plan, what do lenders look for in a business plan, business plan examples, resources for writing a business plan for a loan, final thoughts on writing a business plan for a loan, faqs about how to create a business plan for a loan.

A business plan is a written document that provides a complete overview of your business, including information about your business’s services, strategies, finances, and goals. All businesses should have a business plan, but a business plan is especially important when applying for a business loan.

Most business plans should include some version of the following sections. Depending on your industry and other factors, such as whether you own a startup or established business, some sections could be condensed or combined. The exact verbiage for section titles can vary, as well.

For a business plan that’s longer than one page, it’s a good idea to preface these sections with a cover page and table of contents.

Executive Summary

This section is a condensed version of your entire business plan. It will likely include:

• Details of when, how, and why you started your business
• Your company mission statements
• High-level financial information about your business
• An explanation of how funding will help your business

Depending on whether you’re a startup or an established business, you may use this section to focus on your growth strategy or your past successes.

Company Description

Use this section to delve deeper into your company’s offerings, core principles, legal structure, and leadership. Your company description should also include your unique value proposition . Describe your company’s unique strengths that will ensure your success.

Products & Services

This section should detail the products and/or services your company provides. Make clear the problem that your offerings solve. Include information such as:

• Information on your raw materials and production process (if applicable)
• Profit margins
• Whether you have or plan to file patents or copyrights

Market Analysis

Use this section to demonstrate your understanding of your overall industry and the specific markets you serve, including market trends, competitors, and the demographics of your target customers. Some companies hire a consultant or agency to perform the research for the market analysis section.

Marketing & Sales Plan

Building off your market analysis, how will you market to your target customers and beat your competitors? How will you sell to them and distribute your product? What are your sales goals and projections? Provide these details in this section.

Organization & Management

Use this section to include your organizational and leadership structure, ideally including an organizational flowchart. Also include job descriptions, qualifications, and years of experience to demonstrate why your team is capable of delivering on your company goals and is worthy of investment.

Operational Strategy

This section is used to describe your day-to-day operational processes, including information about your location, facility, equipment, inventory, and daily production. If you have a service-based business, this section may focus more on your team’s daily activities and how they contribute to long-term goals.

Financial Outlook

This section should tell lenders how much you spend and how much you make in profits. Include up to five years of data if possible, including financial documents such as:

• Income statements
• Cash flow statements
• Balance sheets
• Capital expenditure budgets
• Sales forecasts
• Projected income statements
• Information on any collateral you have to secure the loan

Depending on how much financial documentation you have, you might refer to specific documents in this section and indicate that the full documents can be found in the Appendix section.

Though startups may not have all of this data, you can make projections based on monthly or quarterly data and industry averages.

Funding Request

Now that you’ve laid out your expenses and financial projections, it’s time to make your case for a loan. Be clear about how much money you need, how you will spend it, and how you will repay the loan. Be as detailed as possible.

In the Appendix, include any supporting documents, such as financial documents referred to in the Financial Outlook section. Some other types of documents you might include in this section are:

• Business licenses  or permits
• Credit reports
• Product photos
• Marketing materials
• Letter of intent to purchase business

If you know what lenders are looking for in a business plan for a loan, you will increase your chances of approval. Learn the five things lenders want to see in your business plan, followed by five tips to create a loan-worthy business plan.

The 5 Cs Of Credit

The Five Cs of Credit is a phrase that summarizes what lenders look for when deciding whether to extend a loan to a business. Lenders will, accordingly, look for the five Cs when reviewing the business plan in your loan application. The five Cs are:

• Character: Your knowledge, experience, and creditworthiness
• Capacity: Your ability to repay the loan
• Capital: How much you have already invested in your business
• Conditions: Your market viability, considering your industry as well as overall economic conditions
• Collateral: Assets you can use to secure the loan

5 Business Plan Tips For Loan Approval

Besides emphasizing your “5 Cs,” there are a few other things you can do to make the best impression with your business plan to increase your chances of securing funding.

• Avoid Industry Jargon: Use plain English rather than industry terminology that the lender might not be familiar with. Remember that the loan underwriter may not have deep knowledge of your specific industry.
• Show Cash Flow: Cash flow is one of the most important factors that determine loan eligibility. You can even get a loan with bad credit as long as your cash flow is sufficiently high. The more insight you can provide into your past, current, and future cash flow, the better.
• Show Your Investment: Before extending a loan, the lender will want to see that you have already invested some of your own resources, such as personal savings, into your business. Be sure to include documentation that demonstrates your investment.
• Enlist Help: You will likely need some professional assistance in creating your business plan, whether that means hiring a writer, an industry consultant, or both. At the very least, you should have a third party review your business plan before you submit it as part of a loan application.
• Revise Your Plan As Needed: If this is the first time you’ve taken a close look at your business strategy and financials, you will surely learn some things about your business while creating your plan. For example, you may realize you cannot afford a business loan as large as you planned to ask for. Rather than trying to justify the number you started with, it’s better to modify your funding request (and other aspects of your plan) to align with your financial reality.

It’s easy to find templates and examples of business plans online. Though you may not want to copy and paste from a template verbatim, these samples provide a starting point and show you different ways a business plan can be structured. Here are a few to start with:

• Business plan template for a startup (from SCORE)
• Business plan template for traditional businesses  (from the SBA)
• Business plan template for retail or eCommerce (from Shopify; requires email address)

These tools and resources can help you create a solid business plan for a loan. While some free business plan creation tools are available online, you will have to pay for some options.

SBA Business Plan Resources (Free)

The SBA has a great resource in its online learning center that includes business plan worksheets . In addition to business plan templates, the SBA also helps you connect to free local business counselors who may be able to help you with your business plan.

Business Plan Software ($)

If you need extra help creating a business plan and don’t mind spending a little bit of money, consider business plan creation software. For example, LivePlan ($20/month) is business plan software that connects with QuickBooks to import your financial data to your plan.

Business Plan Writer/Consultant ($$$)

If you’re willing to invest more heavily into your business plan, consider hiring a writer or consultant that specializes in creating business plans. This option costs anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000, with the lower end of that scale typically including only basic writing services and the higher end representing a specialized industry consultant agency.

While it’s helpful to know how to write a business plan for a loan, you can always hire someone to help you draft the plan if the task is too daunting. A business plan is a worthwhile investment no matter what type of business you have or whether you are currently trying to secure business funding. Even if you don’t need a loan right now, it’s important to maintain an updated business plan to serve as a guide for your own business decisions.

Was your loan denied because of your business plan (or another reason)? Learn what to do if your business loan was denied .

Do you need a business plan to get a loan?

No, you do not always need a business plan to get a loan. Most traditional business lenders, including banks and SBA lenders, do require a business plan. However, a lot of online business lenders (such as OnDeck ) do not ask for a business plan.

How do you write a business plan for a bank loan?

To write a business plan for a bank loan, you first need to lay the groundwork by analyzing your business’s finances, strategies, and market conditions. Alternatively, you can hire someone to do this research for you. Once you have all this information, you can use a guide, template, or software to help you organize it into a business plan.

How do you write a business plan for an SBA loan?

To get an SBA loan, you will usually need a comprehensive business plan, including a detailed plan for how you intend to use the funds. On the SBA website, you can find general information about what to include in a business plan, or you can download a free business plan template. Some online SBA loan services, such as SmartBiz , do not require a business plan.

How long should a business plan be?

There is no set length for a business plan. A typical business plan used to secure financing might be 20-40 pages. A so-called “lean business plan” that serves as an internal company document for a small business may only be one or two pages.

Who writes business plans?

Business plans are often written by the business owners themselves, but you can also hire a freelance writer or consultant to write a business plan. A business plan writer will still need the business owner’s input (and access to the business’s financial documents or accounting software ) in order to prepare the plan.

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How to Start a Loan Business

Starting a loan business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful loan business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a loan business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Loan Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Loan Business
• Develop Your Loan Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Loan Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Loan Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Loan Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Loan Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Loan Business Equipment
• Develop Your Loan Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Loan Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Loan Business

The first step to starting a loan business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your loan business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your loan business.

2. Develop Your Loan Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a loan business is to develop your loan business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise money for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your loan company.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your loan business and what type of loan business you operate. For example, are you a secured loan, unsecured loan, home equity loan, or personal loan business?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the loan industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your loan business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your loan business make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your loan business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your money lending business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the business owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a loan business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a loan business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a loan business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your loan business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Loan Business (If Needed)

In developing your loan business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a loan business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a loan business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

There are a few key things you’ll want to consider when choosing a location for your private lending business. You’ll want to think about the demographics of the area, as well as the availability of potential customers. You’ll also want to make sure that the location is zoned for a business like yours.

Another important factor to consider is competition. You’ll want to find an area where there aren’t already too many loan companies competing for customers. 

In addition, you’ll want to make sure there is easy access to roads and highways in the area of the location. Finally, the property itself should have enough room for you to set up your office and meet with clients.

6. Register Your Loan Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your loan business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your own loan business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing business loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licensing requirements to start a loan business vary by state. You may need a business license, a loan broker license, and a credit services organization license. Make sure to check with the state where you plan to start your business for specific details and requirements. 

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Loan Business

There are a multiple types of insurance that you will need to have in order to operate a loan company.

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your loan business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Auto insurance : If a vehicle is used in your business, this type of insurance will cover if a vehicle is damaged or stolen.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Loan Business Equipment

To run a loan business, you need some basic equipment including a computer with internet access, a phone, and a fax machine. You will also need a printer to print out loan contracts.

12. Develop Your Loan Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your loan business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your loan business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional loan business website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your loan business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Loan Business

The software you’ll need to run a loan business include a loan origination system (LOS), a loan processing system, and a loan servicing system. 

The loan origination system is the front end of your company, where borrowers fill out forms, provide documentation, and undergo review for credit. The loan processing system records the information associated with the loans you make—things like origination fees, interest rates, credit limits, and payments received. There’s also a back-end system that manages your borrowers—collecting payments and insurance premiums as well as servicing loans each month.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your loan business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

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How to Start a Loan Company FAQs

Is it hard to start a loan business.

It is not hard to start a loan business if you familiarize yourself with the industry. In today’s competitive business environment, running a loan service company can be daunting and expensive. The key is building relationships with the right people so that your brand name increases in popularity. When this happens, you will find it easier to connect with potential customers and grow your business as well as prospects for investors who are looking for companies for investment capital.

How can I start a loan company with no experience?

There are a few ways to start a lending business with no experience. One way is to partner with an existing company that offers loans. Another way is to start your own company and provide loans to people who need them.

To start your own company, you'll need to do some research on the best way to offer loans. You'll also need to create a business plan and get funding for your business. Once your business is up and running, you'll need to find customers and make sure they're happy with your services.

If you're not sure how to start a loan business, there are a lot of resources available online and in libraries. You can also talk to someone who's already in the loan business to get advice.

What type of loan business is most profitable?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the profitability of a loan business will vary depending on the type of loan products offered, the target market, and the level of customer service provided. However, short-term and payday loans are some of the most profitable loan products. They tend to have low default rates, and borrowers can complete their repayments within a short period. Therefore, money lenders get their money back faster.

How much does it cost to start a loan business?

The cost of starting a loan business varies depending on the services you offer as well as the physical location of your business. The startup costs for loan businesses typically include the cost of establishing your company, hiring employees, and developing a marketing strategy.

What are the ongoing expenses for a loan business?

The ongoing expenses related to businesses offering loans can vary based on the size of the business and whether it is a traditional brick-and-mortar organization or an online lender. Typically, ongoing expenses will be higher for brick-and-mortar establishments due to the need to pay for rent, utilities, and maintenance of the office space. Administrative fees are common, along with the cost of maintaining loan books and employee salaries.

How does a loan business make money?

A loan business makes money by lending money and charging interest on the loans it issues. It also may charge other fees, such as origination or late payment fees. Another way for a loan business to make money is by trading loans—buying and selling them with other business owner s or financial institutions.

Is owning a loan business profitable?

Yes, owning a loan business can be profitable. One reason is that there is a large potential market for loans. In addition, the interest rates vary widely and can be quite high, which can result in sizable profits. Furthermore, the business can be automated to a certain extent, which can further reduce costs and improve profits.

Why do loan businesses fail?

There are a number of reasons why other lenders may fail. One reason is that the company may be unable to generate enough revenue to cover its costs and repay its loans. Additionally, the company may have insufficient funds to cover potential loan defaults. Poor management and fraud are also common reasons for loan business failures.

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How to Start a Money Lending Business (Step-by-Step Guide for 2024)

Would you like to learn how to start a successful money lending business? It is no longer new that alternative finance is fast becoming a norm all over the world as small businesses and individuals seek a faster way to get funds. In a report by Grandviewresearch, alternative finance was valued at USD 10.82 billion and is expected to attain a growth of 20.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030.

This is an industry with huge growth and profit potential. If you are searching for a guide on how to start a money lending business step by step, search no more. In this guide, we will give you all the information you need to start your money lending business. You will also learn how to succeed in this business.

What is a Money Lending Business All About?

Table of Contents

This is the first place to start. You shouldn’t start a business that you don’t know what its primary nature is because attempting to do so will be a free ride to disaster. 

This is a form of business where a money lending company provides loans to businesses and individuals that can’t qualify for the traditional bank loans with an interest which can be simple or compound interest.

Now that you know what your intended business is about, let’s move to the next step.

Types of Money Lending Businesses and How They Work

Money lending business is broken into three types and it is important to know them before choosing the one you are going into. Below are the three types of money-lending businesses:

1. Private Lending

If you operate a private lending company you will be lending out your personal funds. This means that when there is a loss or damage, the weight will be on you alone, and equally when there is a profit they come to you.

2. Hard Money Lending

This is the opposite of a private lending company. Unlike in private lending where you run the business with your personal funds, here you work closely with investors and money brokers. 

Investors and money brokers are the ones that will provide the capital for the business. In this type of money lending company, the brokers or investors bear the loss and also they take the interest on the loans. You only make money by charging the borrowers a loan fee.

Hard money lending must be backed with a real estate property.

Peer-to-Peer Lending

As the name suggests, this is a type of lending that happens between peers. As a P2P company owner, your job is to connect lenders to borrowers while you charge a fee for each transaction.

It’s the responsibility of the peer-to-peer platform to verify the creditworthiness of the borrower before making their loan application open to the investors (lenders). From time to time, lenders browse through the platform in search of who to lend money to for a profit in return.

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Guideline on how to start a money lending business, know your target market.

No business can survive with patronage and that is why understanding your target market is very crucial. Knowing your target market before starting your money lending business will help you understand what you are up against in terms of risk, competition, potential profit, etc.

Take your time to research the alternative finance industry to understand the business landscape, the customers, and their pains and expectations.

Choose a Business Name and Check Availability

After you have researched your target market, it is time to brainstorm a name for your business. Your business name is its identity, therefore you need to carefully choose one. 

When choosing a name for your business make sure it is short, easy to remember and pronounce, and also unique. A short, easy-to-remember and pronounce makes it easier for your brand to stick in the minds of your customers. Always check and make sure that no other business is using the name. 

An easy way to check the availability of the name is by searching it on the internet. You might as well check the internet for AI tools for business name suggestions. The one you settle with must be one that will suit your choice of domain name .

Register a Domain Name and Setup Your Website

This is not debatable or optional. Every business that has a long-term goal in this time of the internet needs an internet presence and should take it seriously. You need a place where your customers can access your services anywhere they are.

Go on Namecheap , search for your business name, and register it.  After registration, host it on HostGator and set up your website. You can hire the service of a website developer to set everything up for you.

Register Your Company

If you are in the United States of America, visit your state’s Secretary of State office or Department of Revenue to register your business. If you are in a different region visit the equivalent in the country where you are in. 

Develop Your Money Lending Business Plan

A business without a plan is one without goals and strategy. A business plan will keep you in check. It also helps your customers to understand the business. Develop a detailed plan for your money lending platform. 

Below are the key elements of a good business plan:

• Business Overview: This is where you present the company’s vision, mission, and plans.
• Industry Analysis: Showcase your understanding of your business industry. The trends, challenges, etc.
• Competitive Analysis: Analyze your business competition.
• Customer Analysis: Analyze your potential customers. 
• Marketing Plan: Explain your marketing strategies, costs, products, and services.
• Management Team: Introduce the management team and their roles.
• Operations Plan: You will explain how you intend to run your daily operations of the company.
• Financial Plan: Here you explain everything about financing the business.
• Executive Summary: This section briefly summarizes what your business is all about in simple words so readers can easily understand.

Secure and Equip Your Physical Office for the Business

Just as an internet presence is important for businesses, having a physical office is also important. Having a physical office adds a level of credibility to your business. 

Always make sure that your office can be easily located. Do not site your business in an environment where a large number of your competitors are. This is important because you are new and not yet known.

Secure a space for your physical office where your customers can easily walk in. Furnish it with all the office supplies to make it more organized. Follow these quick tips to improve your office space on a budget .

Buy the needed equipment like chairs, computers, etc., and install the necessary software used in the money lending business. A typical example of the money lending software your business needs before you start is the loan origination system (LOS). This is a loan processing and servicing system.

Loan origination system technology helps financial institutions generate loan documentation in a way that complies with regulatory and internal requirements.

Get the Funds for Your Lending Business Ready

If you are establishing a private lending company you should have your capital ready at this point and if you are going into hard money lending, you should have your brokers and investors.

Apply for Necessary Licenses and Permits

There are a number of licenses and permits you will need to meet their requirements before starting a money lending business at both the state and federal levels. These licenses and permits vary depending on the country and state of your business.

Open a Business Bank Account and Get a Business Credit Card

After registering your business with the appropriate bodies, it is now time to create a business bank account. 

Do your findings of the available banks and make a choice. You should make sure that the bank’s service is friendly to businesses. 

After you have chosen a bank, visit the bank and provide documents like proof of incorporation, either driver’s license or passport, and proof of address. If there are additional documents they will inform you. 

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Get Business Insurance for Your Money Lending Business

In life nothing is 100% guaranteed therefore don’t leave your business vulnerable. Getting insurance means that your business is covered if any damages occur. Some of the insurance options include:

• General liability insurance :  This insurance is an all-in-one insurance that covers everything that can be covered in your business.
• Auto insurance :  This type of insurance covers damages on your automobiles.
• Commercial property insurance :  This policy takes care of damages on your commercial properties by fire or vandalization.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Takes care of repairing or replacing equipment due to mechanical issues.
• Professional liability insurance : This policy covers your business in the situation of a client’s claims of a loss.

It’s Time to Start Your Money Lending Business

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Money Lending Business Strategy Example + Ideas

• Author Content Team
• Published February 21, 2024

Starting a money lending business can be a profitable endeavor if done right. With proper planning and strategy, you can build a sustainable lending business that provides value to customers while generating steady revenue.

Here is an overview of key things to consider when developing a money lending strategy :

• Understand legal/regulatory requirements in your area
• Determine what types of loans to offer (personal, business, etc)
• Decide on loan terms/structure (durations, interest rates, fees)
• Build lending criteria and risk models
• Source funding capital to provide loans
• Market services and acquire customers
• Leverage software to automate and scale operations

Crafting an effective strategy lays the foundation for a thriving lending operation.

Developing Lending Criteria and Risk Models

One of the most critical components of a money lending strategy is developing clear lending criteria and risk models to guide decision-making. Lending criteria refers to the standards and factors lenders use to determine borrower eligibility, loan sizes, rates, and terms. Risk models help assess the likelihood loans will default.

Here are key steps to establish strong lending criteria and risk models:

Research borrowing demand and risk profiles

• Conduct market research to understand needs of target borrower segments
• Gather data on default rates for similar loans
• Identify common attributes of high-risk applicants

Create loan application scoring system

• Determine key metrics to assess during applications
• Assign weighted scores to these metrics
• Metrics may include income, credit score, collateral, payment history, etc
• Set minimum score thresholds for loan approval

Establish tiered approval bands

• Segment applicants by risk level into approval bands
• Each band has standardized loan terms and rates
• Low risk: Up to $10,000, 8% APR, 36-month term
• Moderate risk: Up to $5,000, 12% APR, 24-month term
• High risk: Up to $2,000, 15% APR, 12-month term

Integrate risk model projections

• Risk models estimate chance of delinquency/default
• Plug model outputs into lending criteria rules
• Ensures consistent risk-based decision making

Revisiting and refining criteria and models improves outcomes over time.

Determining Capital Requirements and Securing Funding

Access to capital is the fuel that powers any lending business. Determining how much money you need, and securing funding sources to meet capital requirements, is an essential strategic move.

Here is a strategic approach to capital planning for a money lending operation:

Estimate minimum capital needed

• Project average loan size and loan loss rate
• Multiply average loan size by number of borrowers planned per month
• Add proposed maximum outstanding principal
• Factor in assumed bad debt rate
• Result approximates minimum capital required

For example:

• Average loan size: $5,000
• Monthly borrowers: 20
• Max. outstanding principal: $500,000
• Assumed loss rate: 5%
• *Minimum capital = (20 * $5,000) + $500,000 + $25,000 = $525,000*

Evaluate funding options

You can fund loans from a few sources, each with pros and cons:

Secure commitments

Based on funding needs and options:

• Get commitments from those providing capital
• Formalize agreements with clear repayment terms
• Ensure reliable access to capital before making loans

The more certainty around capital, the easier it is to plan operations.

Acquiring Customers and Marketing Services

To generate loan volume and revenue, a robust strategy for customer acquisition and marketing is vital for any lending operation.

Several proven channels can attract prospective borrowers:

Digital marketing

• Useful for reaching web-savvy applicants
• SEO to drive organic traffic from search engines
• Pay-per-click ads placed through Google, Facebook, etc.
• Targeted display ads on finance-related websites
• Retargeting ads to website visitors
• Provides trackable results

Print/broadcast promotions

• Leverages traditional media
• Newspaper, magazine, radio, TV ads
• Billboards located in high-traffic areas
• Direct mail campaigns to targeted consumer lists
• Harder to quantify effectiveness

Strategic partnerships

• Develop referral relationships with entities serving prospective borrowers
• Real estate agencies
• Small business associations
• Accounting/tax advisory firms
• Could structure revenue share agreements on loans referred

Networking/word-of-mouth

• Communicate offering at conventions, seminars, other events
• Motivate happy customers to organically refer others
• Low/no cost with trust benefits

An optimal strategy likely utilizes a mix of these options, with budgets allocated across channels based on observed conversion rates. Testing and optimization allows for resources to be shifted toward highest-performing channels over time.

Leveraging Software and Technology

Technology integration is key for scaling a money lending business while controlling costs. The right software makes operations more productive and efficient.

Here are some solutions worth incorporating into tech strategy:

Loan management software

Mission-critical systems that handle key workflows:

• Borrower portal – Receive and manage applications
• Document collection/e-signing – Securely collect signed agreements
• Underwriting automation – Score applications, render credit decisions
• Loan servicing – Payment tracking, late notices, collections
• Reporting/business intelligence – Portfolio analytics, risk insights

Top systems provide: workflow configurability, rules-based decisioning, document generation, data integration, portability.

Accounting software

Tracks financials, supports tax/regulatory compliance:

• Manage accounts receivable, payable
• Process electronic payments
• Reconcile transactions
• Structure financial reporting

QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite are popular platforms.

Risk analysis software

Specialized programs bolster risk management:

• Predict loan performance /credit risks
• Track portfolio health metrics
• Model scenarios to stress test operations
• Guide risk-based decisions on capital allocation

Integrating outputs into underwriting systems closes loop.

CRM platform

Centralizes borrower data and interactions:

• Unified client database
• Email/SMS capabilities
• Task assignment, activity logging
• Reporting on engagement metrics

Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho typical options.

Prioritizing solutions that easily integrate while meeting specialized needs allows for a scalable, optimized tech stack tailored to lending operations.

Providing Ongoing Value as a Sustainable Business

Launching a money lending operation is one thing – building it into a sustainable business over the long haul requires continually delivering value. Here are some strategic priorities that serve borrowers while fueling lasting success:

Maintain stringent risk management

While lending higher volumes generates more revenue, uncontrolled risk exposure threatens long-term viability. Strategy involves:

• Enforcing rigorous underwriting standards
• Securing diversified capital sources
• Testing portfolio performance under stress
• Modifying risk limits based on data

Balancing growth with prudent standards provides reliability.

Explore expanded product offerings

Start with a niche, then expand responsibly into other lending areas once established. Potential options:

Broadening into adjacent spaces serves more financial needs.

Provide a consultative borrowing experience

Rather than quick, transactional funding, aim to build relationships with borrowers – understanding their circumstances to structure mutually beneficial loan packages. Tactics involve:

• Needs assessments during underwriting
• Ongoing guidance around responsible borrowing
• Proactive refinancing when advantageous

This level of consultative service earns trust and loyalty.

The most sustainable model adapts over time – taking cues from borrowers while innovating around new opportunities that further strategic goals. Commitment to continual improvement cements longevity.

What are the 5 C’s of lending?

The 5 C’s of lending are a framework used by lenders to determine the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. Here’s a breakdown of each:

1. Character

• Lenders assess your credit history and reputation for repaying debts on time. Your credit score reflects this.

2. Capacity

• Lenders want to know if you have the ability to repay the loan. They’ll examine your income, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and overall financial situation.
• This refers to the amount of money you’re putting down (down payment) as well as any other assets. Lenders like to see that the borrower has some “skin in the game” and is invested in the transaction.

4. Collateral

• Assets that can be pledged to secure the loan. In the event of default, the lender can seize the collateral to recoup losses.

5. Conditions

• The purpose of the loan and how the money will be used. Lenders also consider prevailing economic conditions that could affect your ability to repay or the value of any collateral.

Why are the 5 C’s important?

The 5 C’s offer lenders a systematic way to evaluate the risk of lending money. By carefully examining these factors, lenders can make more informed decisions, leading to:

• Reduced risk of defaults: The 5 C’s help minimize the chance of lending money to borrowers who won’t be able to pay it back.
• Fair interest rates: Borrowers with a strong profile across the 5 C’s can often secure lower interest rates.
• Responsible lending: Considering the 5 C’s promotes responsible and ethical lending practices.

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Key takeaways.

• Conduct extensive research when developing lending criteria and risk models to guide decisions
• Estimate capital requirements based on projected loan volume and losses, secure commitments
• Employ diverse marketing tactics for customer acquisition, measure effectiveness
• Leverage specialized software to scale operations efficiently
• Expand products judiciously while providing consultative borrowing guidance
• Manage risk exposure stringently to ensure long-term sustainability

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Microfinance Mastery: Crafting a Winning Business Plan in India

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Here is a free business plan sample for a microlending organization.

If the idea of empowering individuals and small businesses through financial support sparks your interest, then launching a microlending company might be your calling.

In the following paragraphs, we will guide you through a comprehensive business plan tailored for a microlending enterprise.

As an aspiring microlender, you understand the importance of a robust business plan. It's not just a document; it's a roadmap that outlines your business objectives, operational strategies, and the impact you aim to create in the community.

To kickstart your journey with confidence and clarity, feel free to utilize our microlending business plan template. Our specialists are also on standby to provide a complimentary review and refinement of your plan.

How to draft a great business plan for your microlending organization?

A good business plan for a microlending business must be tailored to the unique aspects of financial services and microcredit operations.

To start, it's crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the microfinance market. This should include current statistics and an analysis of emerging trends in the industry, similar to what we've outlined in our microlending business plan template .

Your business plan should articulate your vision clearly, define your target demographic (such as small business owners, individuals in underserved communities, or entrepreneurs), and establish your niche (like offering microloans for specific industries, green loans, or fast approval processes).

Market analysis is vital. It requires a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape, regulatory environment, risk assessment, and the needs of your potential clients.

For a microlending business, it's important to detail your loan products. Describe the types of loans you'll offer, the terms, interest rates, and how they cater to the financial gaps faced by your target market.

The operational plan should outline the infrastructure for loan distribution and collection, risk management strategies, credit scoring systems, and the technology that will support your operations.

Given the nature of microlending, it's essential to emphasize your approach to credit risk assessment, loan recovery methods, and compliance with financial regulations.

Discuss your marketing and client acquisition strategies. How will you reach out to potential borrowers and maintain a relationship with them? Consider your approach to financial education, community engagement, and the use of digital platforms for loan management.

Today, a digital strategy is not just an option but a necessity. A robust online presence, including a user-friendly website and active social media engagement, can help in reaching a broader audience.

The financial section is a cornerstone of your business plan. It should include your startup capital, projected loan volumes, operational expenses, revenue streams, and the point at which the business will become profitable.

In microlending, understanding the balance between interest rates, loan default risks, and operational costs is critical for sustainability. For this, you might find our financial projections for a microlending business useful.

Compared to other business plans, a microlending plan must address specific financial service concerns such as interest rate models, bad debt management, and the impact of financial regulations.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you clarify your strategy and operational model but also serve as a tool to attract investors or secure funding from financial institutions.

Lenders and investors will look for a comprehensive risk assessment, a solid financial model, and a clear plan for loan disbursement and recovery.

By presenting a detailed and substantiated plan, you show your commitment to the responsible and profitable operation of your microlending business.

To achieve these goals efficiently, consider using our microlending business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a microlending organization

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a microlending .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market overview and potential.

The microlending industry is a vital component of the financial sector, particularly in developing economies. It provides small loans to entrepreneurs and individuals who do not have access to traditional banking services.

As of recent estimates, the global microfinance market size is valued at over 100 billion dollars, with expectations for continued growth as financial inclusion becomes a priority worldwide.

In the United States, there are numerous microlending institutions that contribute significantly to the economy by empowering small business owners and individuals to achieve financial stability and growth.

This data underscores the critical role microlending plays in fostering entrepreneurship and economic development, especially among underserved communities.

Industry Trends

The microlending sector is witnessing several key trends that are shaping its future.

Technology is playing a transformative role, with fintech companies introducing mobile lending platforms that make it easier for borrowers to access funds. Digitalization of financial services is also enhancing the efficiency of loan disbursement and repayment processes.

There is a growing emphasis on social impact, with many microlenders focusing on empowering women, supporting sustainable practices, and promoting financial literacy among their clients.

Peer-to-peer lending platforms are gaining popularity, allowing individuals to lend directly to entrepreneurs and small businesses, bypassing traditional financial intermediaries.

Regulatory changes are also influencing the industry, with governments and international organizations advocating for policies that protect borrowers and promote responsible lending practices.

These trends indicate a dynamic and evolving industry that is adapting to meet the needs of a diverse and growing client base.

Key Success Factors

Several factors contribute to the success of a microlending institution.

First and foremost, trust and credibility are paramount. Clients must have confidence in the institution's ability to manage their funds responsibly and offer fair terms.

Understanding the local market and the specific needs of borrowers is crucial for tailoring financial products that are both accessible and impactful.

Efficient operations and risk management are essential to maintain low overhead costs and minimize defaults, ensuring sustainability and profitability.

Strong relationships with the community and local organizations can enhance outreach and support services for clients, furthering the institution's mission and growth.

Lastly, staying abreast of technological advancements and regulatory changes can help microlending institutions remain competitive and responsive to the evolving landscape of financial services.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our microlending initiative is designed to empower financially underserved communities by providing small, short-term loans to individuals and small business owners. Located in areas with limited access to traditional banking services, our microlending firm will offer loans that are tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs, artisans, and families who require capital to grow their businesses or meet urgent financial needs.

The focus will be on creating a simple, transparent, and accessible lending process to ensure that borrowers can obtain funds quickly and without undue burden.

This microlending firm aspires to become a catalyst for economic growth and financial inclusion, thus contributing to the prosperity and resilience of local communities.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our microlending project is based on providing accessible and fair financial services to those who are often excluded from the traditional banking system.

Our commitment to offering microloans with reasonable interest rates and flexible repayment terms presents an opportunity for borrowers to invest in their futures, whether it's expanding a business, covering educational expenses, or managing unexpected costs.

We are dedicated to fostering financial literacy and empowerment, aiming to not only provide loans but also to educate our clients on managing finances and building creditworthiness.

Our microlending firm aspires to become a cornerstone of economic support, enabling clients to achieve their financial goals and contributing to the overall economic development of the communities we serve.

Project Owner

The project owner is a finance professional with a deep commitment to social impact and economic empowerment.

With a background in microfinance and community development, they are determined to create a microlending firm that stands out for its dedication to ethical lending practices and its focus on client success.

With a vision of financial inclusion and empowerment, they are resolved to provide financial solutions that are both impactful and sustainable, while contributing to the economic well-being of the community.

Their commitment to ethical finance and their passion for community development make them the driving force behind this project, aiming to bridge the gap between financial services and those who need them the most.

The Market Study

Target market.

The target market for our microlending business encompasses several key demographics.

Firstly, we focus on entrepreneurs and small business owners who lack access to traditional banking services and require capital to start or expand their businesses.

Additionally, we target individuals in underserved communities who are seeking small personal loans to overcome short-term financial hurdles.

Women and minorities, who often face barriers to obtaining credit, represent another significant segment for our services.

Lastly, we aim to serve young adults and recent graduates who may need loans for educational purposes or to fund innovative start-up ideas.

SWOT Analysis

Our SWOT analysis for the microlending business highlights several factors.

Strengths include a strong understanding of the microfinance sector, a commitment to ethical lending practices, and the ability to offer quick and accessible loans.

Weaknesses may involve the risk of default on loans and the challenge of maintaining profitability with low-interest margins.

Opportunities exist in leveraging technology to streamline the lending process and in expanding our reach to untapped markets with high demand for microloans.

Threats could come from regulatory changes, increased competition from both traditional banks and other microfinance institutions, and economic downturns affecting borrowers' ability to repay loans.

Competitor Analysis

Our competitor analysis within the microlending industry indicates a varied landscape.

Direct competitors include other microfinance institutions, peer-to-peer lending platforms, and credit unions offering similar services.

These entities compete on interest rates, loan terms, and the speed of service delivery.

Potential competitive advantages for our business include personalized customer service, flexible repayment plans, and a strong community presence.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors is crucial for carving out a niche in the market and for developing strategies to attract and retain clients.

Competitive Advantages

Our microlending business prides itself on several competitive advantages that set us apart.

We offer a streamlined loan application process with minimal bureaucracy, enabling quick disbursement of funds to meet our clients' immediate needs.

Our interest rates are competitive and tailored to the financial situation of each borrower, ensuring affordability and promoting financial inclusion.

Moreover, our focus on financial literacy and borrower education helps clients make informed decisions and fosters long-term relationships built on trust and mutual benefit.

We also emphasize the use of technology to enhance user experience and maintain transparency throughout the loan lifecycle, reassuring clients of our commitment to fair and responsible lending practices.

You can also read our articles about: - how to establish a microlending organization: a complete guide - the customer segments of a microlending organization - the competition study for a microlending organization

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the microlending business is designed to empower individuals and small businesses financially.

In the first year, we will concentrate on building a solid foundation, establishing trust within the community, and refining our loan assessment processes.

The second year will be focused on expanding our reach by introducing mobile and online platforms to facilitate easier access to our services.

In the third year, we aim to diversify our loan products, offer financial literacy programs, and form strategic partnerships with local businesses to further support our clients' growth.

Throughout this period, we will remain committed to responsible lending, transparency, and adapting to the evolving financial needs of our customers while solidifying our presence in the microfinance sector.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our microlending business targets underserved individuals and small businesses in need of financial services.

Our value proposition is providing accessible, fast, and fair microloans with a personal touch and financial guidance.

We deliver our services through both physical branches and digital platforms, utilizing key resources such as our credit assessment algorithms and customer service teams.

Key activities include loan processing, risk assessment, and customer support.

Our revenue streams are derived from interest on loans and nominal service fees, while our costs are mainly associated with loan capital, operations, and technology infrastructure.

Access a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is centered on building relationships and promoting financial inclusion.

We aim to reach potential clients through community engagement, educational workshops on credit and financial management, and through referrals from satisfied customers.

We will leverage social media and targeted online advertising to increase our visibility and emphasize the benefits of our services.

Partnerships with local businesses and organizations will also play a crucial role in expanding our reach and credibility.

Our commitment to customer success and community development will be at the forefront of all our marketing efforts.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our microlending business is designed to mitigate financial risks while promoting responsible lending practices.

We employ stringent credit assessment techniques to ensure the creditworthiness of our clients and maintain a diversified loan portfolio to spread risk.

Regular audits and compliance checks are conducted to adhere to financial regulations and to protect against fraud and default.

We also maintain a reserve fund to cover potential loan losses and ensure the sustainability of our operations.

Insurance for loan defaults is also in place as a safeguard against unforeseen circumstances.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are committed to establishing a microlending business that serves as a catalyst for economic growth and empowerment.

With a focus on responsible lending, customer education, and innovative service delivery, we are poised to fill a gap in the financial market.

We are enthusiastic about the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and the communities we serve.

Adaptable to the changing financial landscape, we are prepared to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the success and viability of our microlending business.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a microlending organization - the marketing strategy for a microlending organization

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a microlending and our financial plan for a microlending .

Initial expenses for our microlending business include the costs associated with obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, investing in a secure IT infrastructure to manage loans and customer data, hiring experienced staff to evaluate loan applications, and developing marketing strategies to reach potential clients. Additionally, we will need to allocate funds for legal and accounting services to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough market analysis of the demand for microloans, particularly among small business owners and individuals who may not have access to traditional banking services.

We anticipate a steady increase in loan disbursement, starting conservatively and expanding as our reputation for reliable and accessible microlending services grows.

The projected income statement reflects expected revenues from interest and fees on microloans, operational costs (staff salaries, office rent, technology maintenance), and other expenses (marketing, legal, and accounting services).

This results in a forecasted net profit that is essential for assessing the long-term viability of our microlending venture.

The projected balance sheet will display assets such as cash reserves, loan receivables, and office equipment, against liabilities including any borrowed funds and operational payables.

It will provide a snapshot of the financial position of our microlending business at the end of each fiscal period.

Our projected cash flow statement will detail all cash inflows from loan repayments and outflows for business expenses and loan disbursements, enabling us to predict our financial needs and maintain adequate liquidity.

The projected financing plan outlines the sources of capital we intend to tap into for covering our initial costs, which may include a mix of owner's equity, loans, and grants.

The working capital requirement for our microlending business will be meticulously tracked to ensure we have sufficient funds to cover day-to-day operations, such as disbursing loans and managing repayments.

The break-even analysis will determine the volume of loan activity required to cover all our costs and begin generating a profit, marking the point at which our business becomes sustainable.

Key performance indicators we will monitor include the default rate on loans, the portfolio yield to measure the average return on our loan portfolio, and the efficiency ratio to evaluate our operational productivity.

These indicators will assist us in gauging the financial health and success of our microlending business.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a microlending organization .

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Sample Micro Money Lending Firm Business Plan

Micro money lending business plan sample.

Starting a money lending business does not have to be an impossible idea. You will discover that my claims are not fraudulent if you can take your time to read through this post.

Most commercial banks make money in two major ways.

They give out grants and small business loans at particular interest rates, for instance, AB – MFB Microfinance Start-up loans. They also lend money to investors using funds that you deposit with them through cash, check deposit, or electronic money transfer.

Need to write a plan for your venture? Download a FREE Business Plan PDF Sample to develop a template for your own startup.

I won’t be referring to commercial banks’ subsidiary functions like giving out credit letters and Forex transactions.

GUIDE: HOW TO START A LOAN COMPANY

CASH LOAN BUSINESS PLAN – LENDING BUSINESS IDEAS

The truth is most of these functions are too technical for your own money lending business. The good news is many lending business ideas would be able to receive cash and give out advance money and will duly be registered. Here is how to open a small money lending business.

What Do I Need To Start A Money Lending Business

– Education – Passion – Close Monitoring – Capital Base (Less Than 100k)

How To Set Up a Money Lending Business

It is difficult to start your own money lending business that caters to the whole country considering your current resources. This is the reason you should think about localization. You will later need an official base where new and existing clients can come to get their issues sorted out.  The place must be conspicuous, accessible, and presentable.

Good affordable furniture and a PC with the necessary money lending business software installed are important too.

How To Register A Money Lending Business

You will need to get your business register and secure the appropriate license. The requirement for lending out funds are country-specific but are generally lesser than those for establishing commercial and micro-finance banks.

Who Should I Target?

Since you don’t have what it takes to lend to big companies and corporations like P&G, MTN, BAT, SHELL, and others; you should target those investors and individuals at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Small salary earners, petty investors, market women, and artisans are a good market to generate a client base for your money lending business.

What Is The Best Money Lending Business Strategy?

Although there is no shortage of customers for the money lending business, you cannot take on everybody. This is due to what is called credit appraisal. To take care of the fund receipt and repayment process, each client should be made to deposit at least 20% of the loan sought. To protect your money, enable daily and weekly loan repayment and these people have a high tendency to become less aware of their obligations after receiving the loan.

Studying trends of operations and advertising in micro-finance banks and using it to develop marketing strategies for money lending business is recommended. You don’t have to hire a lot of people for a start. As your money-lending business expands its capital base, you would need to employ more people to do the footwork. If you want to start with say 90k, loan out 20k to each client. That is like 4 clients already. Don’t make the mistake of giving out all your funds at once. No business ever does that.

Call it whatever you like. Giving out loans as money lending business ideas, I call it smart banking 🙂

MONEY LENDING BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Here is a sample business plan for starting a micro-lending company.

If you are reading this, then I will agree that you are interested in starting a money lending business. So many have gone into this business and have greatly improved their status and their lifestyle, and in a very large way, they have helped those making use of their services.

Money is an essential part of living, sad though, humans will not always have the exact amount needed, and at such moments, they might need to borrow to sort the urgent situation they are in out, as a moneylender, that’s where your work comes in.

The way humans look at the idea differs, some see it as a good option, while others see it as something bad. Either way, only those who have once tried it can agree that the money lending business is a very good one.

The reward of starting a money lending business is unimaginable, your interest will keep growing, and you will always have people who need your services, some will pay back before the expected day; still, you will get your complete interest.

In this article, we are going to provide you with a guide that will help you in your endeavor to write your award-winning money lending business proposal sample which will help you get reasonable and willing investors to back your business up.

Here are the essential subheadings that must be included in your business plan to make it an award-winning and complete business plan.

• The Introduction Or The Overview Of The Industry

The Executive Summary

• Risk And Strength Analysis

The Market Analysis

The Competition

• The Sales And Marketing Strategy
• Financial Analysis And Forecast
• Sustainability And Expansion Strategy

Let us now discuss in detail how you can develop each of these points to get a unique business plan

Overview Of The Industry

The introductory part of the business plan is the part where you will be writing about the entire shape of the local and international money lending business, in this part, you need to provide a brief history of the money lending industry.

In this section of your money lending business plan, you will need to provide brief information about the company and the people setting it up. In this section too, you will need to provide the vision of the company as this helps your investors to see if there are plans for the future or not. Most prefer using terms like ‘’ to become a leading brand in the world’’

Your business mission will also be discussed in this section as this very important if you will get reasonable investors for your business. Your business structure is also fundamental, and as such it will be discussed in this part. Your structure will go a long way in defining your future so you must develop this very well.

The key roles to be filled will include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Accountant, Sales, and Marketing Agent, Receptionist, etc.

Risk and Strength Analysis

In this section of your business plan, you will need to write about your understanding and analysis of your Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats This is popularly referred to as the SWOT ANALYSIS.

Your strength might involve the latest technology that will help you run a secure money lending business; your threats might be the effect of economic instability or late payment on the part of the borrowers.

This part is one of the essential parts of your business plan. The market analysis segment will prepare you for what you will meet in the money lending market. Your understanding of the business will be brought to the test to see if you have the basic needed understanding. There are trends that the market follows, some forces that define the activities of the market, the role of the economy, and the government in the business.

In this part, you will define your target market, those who will be using your services. Your services will be need by virtually everyone especially students, business owners, industries amongst others.

In this section, you will need to show that you understand the level of competition in the market, and your plans to succeed in the light of these competitions. Your competitive advantage will also be discussed. Your competition might include banks offering loans.

The Sales and Marketing Strategy

In this section, your strategy for advertising and publicizing your business to people both far and wide will be scripted, those mediums like social media, use of news media, and another advertising medium will be discussed.

Your interest rate or how much people will be charged for using your services will also be discussed.

Financial Analysis and Forecast The finance part of your business is very important. For that reason, you need to take this part seriously. Your source of income and the expected income will also be discussed. Other important points include your expenses and the total cost to be incurred, your projected profit for a set period (usually within 5 years)

Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Your plans to and expand your money lending business will be discussed in this part.

At this point in your money lending business plan, you will be expected to summarise the entire content of the business plan and also include your concluding remarks.

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• Business Loans

How To Get A Business Loan In 5 Steps

Updated: Nov 2, 2023, 4:05pm

A business loan can provide the funds you need to expand operations, cover day-to-day expenses and purchase equipment or inventory. If you’ve never applied for a business loan, you might be unsure about where to begin or which documents are required.

Here’s a simple guide that walks you through the process of evaluating your options and preparing your business loan application in five easy steps.

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1. Decide Why You Need Financing

There’s more than one kind of small business loan. Deciding why you need financing will help you choose the right kind of loan. Here are a few common scenarios:

• Buy new equipment Some lenders offer equipment loans . This type of loan is designed to help you purchase business equipment, like machinery or office furniture. The loan is secured by the equipment, so the lender can seize it if you fail to repay the loan.
• Borrow a small amount of money . If you need to borrow a small amount of money, consider applying for a microloan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Microloan program that allows qualified applicants to borrow up to $50,000. In addition, there are not-for-profit organizations that offer microloans, such as Kiva and the Women’s Microfinance Initiative.
• Establish a business . Since most lenders have minimum time in business requirements, it can be tough to find one that will issue you a startup loan for a new business . If you’re just starting out, you may have to apply for a microloan or a business credit card . You may find it easier to qualify for a business credit card than other types of business loans since approval is based on your personal credit score.
• Pay for day-to-day operations . A working capital loan —a short-term loan used to cover daily expenses, like rent and payroll—can help you cover temporary cash flow problems.
• Borrow money on an as-needed basis . If you don’t know the exact amount you need to borrow, a business line of credit could be a good option. Once a lender issues you a line of credit, you can withdraw funds up to a certain amount to cover business expenses and only pay interest on the amount you borrow.

Funding Turnaround Time

As you consider different types of financing for your business, consider how quickly you need to receive your funding. Each loan option will have different turnaround times once you submit an application, and if you need your funding quickly, some options may be better than others.

Many loans, including loans from banks and credit unions, can take 30 or more days to be funded. Yet, this can vary based on the lender and your application, including if any asset backing the loan needs to be assessed.

If you need a quick turnaround time for funding, some SBA loans can be funded within 10 days, and there are online lenders that offer fast business loans . These loans, which include both traditional loans and equipment loans, can be funded within a day in some cases.

2. Check Your Eligibility

Although business loan requirements vary, here are four things lenders are likely to consider when reviewing your small business loan application:

• Credit score . When you apply for a business loan, a lender will review your personal and business credit scores . They help the lender assess the likelihood you’ll repay your loan. In general, the higher your credit score, the greater your chances of loan approval and receiving a low interest rate.
• Collateral and/or personal guarantee . Some lenders require you to pledge collateral —something of value, such as equipment or inventory—it can seize if you default on the loan. Some lenders may also require a personal guarantee, meaning you have to secure the loan with personal assets, such as your savings, home or other valuable possessions.
• Time in business . A traditional bank typically requires a business to have been in operation for at least two years, while an online lender usually requires only one year. If you’ve been operating your business for less than one year, don’t get discouraged. Some online lenders will approve qualified applicants who have only been in business for six months.
• Annual revenue . Your total annual sales are also a relevant factor. Before applying, ask a lender what the requirements are and review your business finances to see if you meet them.

3. Compare Business Lending Options

There are several places you can find small business loans . Here are three of the most common types of lenders.

Online Lenders

Online lenders offer a variety of loan products to small business owners, including term loans, merchant cash advances, lines of credit and microloans. Loan approval rates were lower for online lenders than traditional banks as of 2022—71% versus 82%, respectively—according to the 2023 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) by the Federal Reserve.

Nonetheless, online lenders often have less stringent requirements than traditional banks. As a result, you may find it easier to get approved for a business loan with an online lender if you have less-than-stellar credit. In addition, online lenders often have much faster turnover—some may issue funds as soon as the same business day.

A major downside of taking out a business loan with an online lender, however, is that it often charges higher interest rates than a traditional bank.

Related:  Average Business Loan Rates: What Will You Be Charged?

Traditional Banks

Traditional banks provide many of the same types of business loans as online lenders. The main advantage of applying for a small business loan with a bank versus an online lender or microlender is that it typically offers lower rates for well-qualified applicants.

One disadvantage of applying for a business loan with a bank is that it often has more stringent eligibility requirements. If you have a bad personal credit score (a FICO score less than 580), you will likely have a hard time qualifying without a co-signer—someone who agrees to repay the loan if you fail to meet your payment obligations.

If you opt for funding from a bank, a small bank may be a better option versus a larger one. A majority of borrowers were satisfied with their experience and few were frustrated by long wait times, according to the 2023 SBCS survey. Fewer borrowers who worked with large banks were satisfied with their experience and more were frustrated by long waits for funding.

Microlenders

Microlenders are typically not-for-profit organizations that issue microloans up to $50,000 to qualified applicants, often designed to provide financing for business owners who don’t qualify for traditional business loans. Microlenders usually have less stringent eligibility requirements.

For example, the microlender Kiva does not have a minimum credit score requirement. Instead, it approves applicants based on “social capital.” To qualify, you have to get a certain number of people to lend money to you through Kiva’s platform before your loan request becomes public on their website.

Comparing Offers

As you shop for loans from various lenders, use a business loan calculator to calculate the costs of each loan. This can help you find the lowest cost financing option.

4. Gather the Required Documents

Once you understand your lending options, gather the required documents. A lender will likely ask for these items:

• Personal and business tax returns
• Business licenses
• Articles of incorporation
• Personal and business bank statements
• Profit and loss statements
• Financial statements
• Business plan
• Building lease

If you’re unsure what documents are needed, contact the lender before applying.

5. Submit Your Application

The final step is to submit your small business loan application. Depending on what lender you’ve decided to work with, you can do this online or in person.

Here’s some information a lender might ask for:

• Business name
• Social Security number (SSN)
• Desired loan amount
• Loan purpose
• Business Tax ID
• Annual revenue

Once you submit your application, you’ll have to wait for an approval decision. If your loan is approved, a lender will send you a loan agreement to sign before issuing your funds or a line of credit you can draw from.

How To Choose the Best Business Loan

Choosing the best business loan comes down to comparing loans you qualify for and determining which loan is the right fit. Here are loan factors to weigh across many loans.

• Annual percentage rate (APR). A loan’s APR represents what a loan costs on an annualized basis, including interest and fees. Comparing APRs can give you an apples-to-apples idea of which business loans will be the most and least affordable.
• Fees. Lenders may charge upfront fees to process your loan application. Projecting these fees and factoring them into the equation can also help you compare costs.
• Repayment terms. Terms for business loans can range from one year to 25 years. Choosing a long loan term can decrease your monthly payments but increases how much interest you’ll pay over time. The right loan term for you depends on your goals and what installment payments you can afford.
• Funding speed. While business loans from major banks might provide competitive rates for borrowers with strong credit, the application process can be cumbersome. If funding speed is a high priority, online lenders may offer faster funding.

How To Get a Business Loan from Banks

The process for taking out a business loan from a bank can vary by financial institution. Some major banks have online applications where you input information about yourself and your business to apply. In other cases, you’ll have to visit a branch to apply.

Information you must provide to start an application could include your business name, the date you started the business, gross annual revenue and annual household income for all owners. Brick-and-mortar banks tend to have more stringent eligibility requirements compared to online lenders; having strong credit and financials may be necessary to qualify.

Types of Business Loans

Depending on your business’s needs, one loan type may work better than another. Before accepting any financing, consider various business loans so that your business is best served by the loan.

• SBA loans. SBA loans are small business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. These loans include SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, CAPlines, Microloans and others, each of which serve different purposes. SBA loans often come with lower interest rates and down payments than other options, but you’ll often need to be an established business to qualify.
• Term loans. Term loans are traditional installment loans that are repaid over predetermined terms. Banks, credit unions and online lenders all offer these loans and while some have limited uses, many can be used for most business-related expenses. They’re typically available up to $500,000 with APRs starting around 9%.
• Lines of credit. A business line of credit is a form of financing that your business can draw from on an as-needed basis, making it a good option for ongoing cash flow issues. The borrower has access to the line of credit for a set period of time up to a predetermined limit. Once that draw period is over, the borrower has to repay the loan, with interest. APRs are typically anywhere between 10% and 99%.
• Invoice factoring and financing. With invoice factoring , your business sells outstanding invoices to a factoring company at a discount. This can be an effective way to get paid for outstanding invoices quickly, rather than waiting for customers to pay. APRs for invoice factoring are typically between 10% and 79%.
• Merchant cash advance. A merchant cash advance works by giving a lender a portion of your future sales, making this a good option for businesses that have a high volume of sales and need cash quickly. A lender will lend your business money and then that money will be repaid with a percentage of your sales on a daily or weekly basis.
• Equipment financing. Equipment financing funds the purchase of equipment or machinery, with the purchased equipment backing the loan. These loans can be used for anything from office furniture to manufacturing equipment, and terms can be as long as 25 years with limits of up to $1 million.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What credit score is needed for a business loan.

Since lenders have different eligibility requirements, the personal credit score you need to qualify for a business loan varies. That said, minimum credit score requirements may range from 500 to 680.

The business credit score needed to qualify also varies from lender to lender. Plus, it depends on the type of loan you’re applying for and what business credit score a lender uses. For example, when it comes to SBA loans, you’ll typically need a minimum business credit score of 155 to pass the SBA’s pre-screen process. However, most lenders set their minimum score requirements between 160 and 165.

How can I get a business loan with no money?

Although most lenders have annual revenue requirements, it’s possible to get a business loan if your business doesn’t have any money. Some lenders offer no doc business loans—loans that don’t require verification of business income. To qualify, you’ll likely need to have excellent credit and provide a personal guarantee.

Can I get a business loan with bad credit?

Although you’ll likely find it tougher to get approved for a small business loan with bad credit, it’s possible. Some lenders specialize in offering business loans to borrowers who have bad personal credit scores . However, If approved, a lender will most likely charge you a higher interest rate.

To receive a lower interest rate and boost your approval odds, consider applying with a co-signer who has a good credit score (at least 670, according to FICO) and decent income, if possible. A co-signer is someone who agrees to repay your loan if you default. Before you ask someone to co-sign for you, make sure they understand that a missed payment can cause damage to their credit.

How can I get approved for a business loan without collateral?

Certain lenders may be willing to approve you for a business loan without collateral if you sign a personal guarantee. Providing a personal guarantee means that you legally agree to be personally responsible for paying back the loan with your own assets or savings if the business cannot. 

Since eligibility conditions vary by lender, shopping around can help you find a loan with application criteria that fits your situation. You may have the best shot at qualifying for a no-collateral loan through an online lender that has flexible application requirements.

Looking for a business loan?

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best lending platforms and helpful information on how to find the best loan based on your credit score.

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Jerry Brown is a personal finance writer based in Baton Rouge, La. He's been writing about personal finance for three years. Financial products he enjoys covering include credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages.

Hard Money Lending Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Financial Services

A hard money lending business is a type of lending activity where loans are provided to borrowers based on the collateral they offer, rather than the borrower’s creditworthiness.

These loans are typically short-term and are secured by real estate or other valuable assets. Hard money lenders are private individuals or organizations that specialize in these types of loans.

Hard money lending is commonly used by real estate investors and developers who need quick access to funds for property purchases, renovations, or other time-sensitive projects.

While it can be a valuable source of financing for those who may not qualify for traditional loans, borrowers should carefully consider the higher costs and risks associated with hard money loans.

Additionally, hard money lenders should conduct thorough due diligence on the collateral and borrower to mitigate potential risks.

Steps on How to Write a Hard Money Lending Business Plan

Executive summary.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. is a reputable and dynamic hard money lending firm headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Established with a commitment to providing efficient and flexible financing solutions, our company specializes in short-term loans secured by real estate assets.

Detroit, Michigan, presents a unique and burgeoning real estate market, with increasing demand for flexible financing options.

As the city undergoes revitalization and development, Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. is strategically positioned to contribute to the growth of local businesses and real estate ventures.

Company Profile

A. our products and services.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. offers a range of hard money lending services tailored to the unique needs of our clients, including:

• Short-Term Real Estate Loans: Providing swift and hassle-free financing solutions for real estate investments, acquisitions, and development projects.
• Collateral-Based Financing: Evaluating loan eligibility primarily based on the value of the collateral, allowing for a more inclusive approach to lending.
• Quick Approval and Funding: Streamlining the lending process to ensure rapid approval and timely disbursement of funds, supporting our clients’ time-sensitive projects.
• Flexible Terms: We offer customized loan structures, repayment schedules, and conditions to accommodate the diverse needs of our borrowers.

b. Nature of the Business

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. operates through a multi-faceted business model. We will work with individuals and businesses.

c. The Industry

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. will operate in the broader financial services industry, specifically, within the subsector of alternative or non-traditional lending services.

d. Mission Statement

At Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc., our mission is to empower real estate investors and developers by providing swift and reliable access to capital through collateral-based lending.

We are dedicated to facilitating the success of our client’s projects by offering efficient and flexible financing solutions. With a commitment to integrity, transparency, and customer satisfaction, we strive to be a trusted partner in their journey towards achieving their real estate goals.

e. Vision Statement

Our vision at Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. is to be the premier hard money lending institution, recognized for innovation, excellence, and unwavering commitment to our clients. We aspire to set industry standards by consistently delivering fast, reliable, and tailored financing solutions.

Through strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of the real estate market, we aim to be a driving force behind the success of diverse projects, playing a pivotal role in the transformation and revitalization of communities.

f. Our Tagline (Slogan)

“Empowering Visions, Fueling Progress: Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc.”

g. Legal Structure of the Business (LLC, C Corp, S Corp, LLP)

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. will be formed as a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

h. Our Organizational Structure

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
• General Manager
• Compliance Manager
• Loan Advisors (Loan Officers)
• Sales and Marketing Officer
• Customer Service Representatives

i. Ownership/Shareholder Structure and Board Members

• Jared Moore (Owner and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer) 56 Percent Shares
• Joel Davids (Board Member) 14 Percent Shares
• Edmond Hankins (Board Member) 10 Percent Shares
• Robinson Gatwick (Board Member) 10 Percent Shares
• Christiana Samson (Board Member and Secretary) 10 Percent Shares.

SWOT Analysis

A. strength.

• A team of seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge in hard money lending, real estate, and financial services.
• Ability to offer customized and flexible loan structures tailored to meet the diverse needs of clients.
• Streamlined processes for rapid approval and disbursement of funds, providing a competitive advantage in time-sensitive real estate transactions.
• In-depth understanding of the Detroit real estate market, allowing for informed decision-making and strategic lending.
• Commitment to integrity, transparency, and customer satisfaction, fostering strong and lasting relationships with clients.

b. Weakness

• Reliance on collateral-based lending may lead to higher interest rates, potentially limiting the market to borrowers willing to accept these terms.
• Vulnerability to fluctuations in the real estate market, economic downturns, or adverse local economic conditions.
• As a localized business, expansion into new markets may be challenging, limiting growth opportunities.

c. Opportunities

• Capitalizing on the growth potential of the Detroit real estate market and emerging opportunities in revitalization projects.
• Exploring additional financial products or services to diversify revenue streams and mitigate risks.
• Implementing technology solutions for enhanced efficiency in loan processing, risk assessment, and customer relationship management.
• Collaborating with real estate developers, brokers, or other industry players to expand market reach and increase the volume of loan opportunities.

i. How Big is the Industry?

The hard money line of business is not considered a big industry in the United States. However, it’s important to note that the industry is relatively niche compared to the broader lending market.

ii. Is the Industry Growing or Declining?

The hard money lending industry has seen growth in recent years, driven by various factors, including increased real estate investment activities, a need for quick and flexible financing, and a growing number of real estate developers and investors seeking alternative funding sources.

iii. What are the Future Trends in the Industry?

Increased use of technology for loan processing, underwriting, and customer relationship management. Automation and digital tools may streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve the overall borrower experience.

Growing reliance on data analytics and sophisticated risk assessment models to evaluate collateral and borrower creditworthiness. This trend can contribute to more accurate lending decisions and risk mitigation.

Continued expansion into new geographical markets as hard money lenders seek opportunities beyond their traditional locations. This may be driven by the identification of emerging real estate markets and the need for diversification.

Collaboration between hard money lenders and financial technology (FinTech) companies to leverage innovative solutions, such as blockchain for secure transactions or smart contracts for automated and transparent loan agreements.

Exploration of alternative assets beyond real estate as collateral for hard money loans. This could include intellectual property, equipment, or other valuable assets.

Economic conditions and interest rate fluctuations will continue to influence the industry. Changes in economic outlooks may impact borrower demand and the overall health of the hard money lending sector.

iv. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no existing niches when it comes to a hard money lending business because a hard money lending business is a niche idea in the financial services industry.

v. Can You Sell a Franchise of Your Business in the Future?

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. has the plan to sell franchises shortly and we will target larger cities all across the United States of America and Canada.

• Exposure to economic downturns may impact the ability of borrowers to repay loans and the value of collateral.
• Changes in regulations related to lending, interest rates, or real estate transactions could impact business operations.
• Intense competition from other hard money lenders, traditional financial institutions, or alternative financing options.
• Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the cost of capital and the attractiveness of hard money loans for borrowers.

i. Who are the Major Competitors?

• LendingHome
• Lima One Capital
• CoreVest Finance
• Patch of Land
• RCN Capital
• Anchor Loans
• Walnut Street Finance
• Temple View Capital
• Do Hard Money
• ABL (Asset Based Lending)
• Sherman Bridge Lending
• Zeus Mortgage
• BridgeWell Capital
• Kennedy Funding Financial
• Socotra Capital
• Visio Lending
• Stratton Equities
• Streamline Funding
• Center Street Lending.

ii. Is There a Franchise for Hard Money Lending Business?

No, there are no franchise opportunities for hard money lending businesses.

iii. Are There Policies, Regulations, or Zoning Laws Affecting Hard Money Lending Business?

Yes, there are various policies, regulations, and zoning laws that can affect the operation of hard money lending businesses in the United States.

However, it is important to note that the regulatory environment may vary by state, and new regulations can be introduced or existing ones amended.

Each state has its usury laws that dictate the maximum interest rate a lender can charge. Hard money lenders must be aware of and comply with these laws to avoid legal issues.

Federal law requires lenders to disclose key terms and costs of a loan to borrowers. Compliance with the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) is crucial for transparency in lending practices.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (this federal law) introduced regulations aimed at preventing predatory lending practices and ensuring consumer protection. Some provisions of Dodd-Frank may impact hard money lending activities.

Lenders are required to implement Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programs to detect and prevent money laundering activities.

Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations is crucial for financial institutions, including hard money lenders.

Zoning regulations can impact the use of properties as collateral. Hard money lenders should be aware of local zoning laws to assess the feasibility of real estate projects.

Laws such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination in lending practices. Hard money lenders need to ensure that their lending decisions comply with fair lending laws.

If a hard money loan is considered a security, it may be subject to federal and state securities laws. Understanding these regulations is important to ensure compliance.

Marketing Plan

A. who is your target audience.

i. Age Range: 18 to 65 years old, with a focus on adults aged 25 to 55 who may require short-term financial assistance.

ii. Level of Education: Minimum high school education; preference for those with some college education or vocational training.

iii. Income Level: Middle to high-income individuals or businesses with the financial capacity for real estate investment or development projects.

iv. Ethnicity: No specific ethnic targeting; services available to a diverse range of individuals and businesses.

v. Language: English proficiency is preferred due to the nature of legal and financial transactions.

vi. Geographical Location: Primarily focused on the Detroit metropolitan area, but may consider opportunities in other strategic real estate markets within the United States.

vii. Lifestyle: Targeting real estate investors, developers, and businesses with an entrepreneurial mindset.

b. Advertising and Promotion Strategies

• Use FOMO to Run Photo Promotions.
• Share Your Events in Local Groups and Pages.
• Turn Your Social Media Channels into a Resource
• Host Themed Events That Catch Attention.
• Tap Into Text Marketing.
• Develop Your Business Directory Profiles
• Build Relationships with Other Businesses in our Area

i. Traditional Marketing Strategies

• Broadcast Marketing -Television & Radio Channels.
• Marketing through Direct Mail.
• Print Media Marketing – Newspapers & Magazines.
• Out-of-Home” marketing (OOH marketing) – Public Transits like Buses and Trains, Billboards, Street Furniture, and Cabs.
• Direct sales, direct mail (postcards, brochures, letters, fliers), tradeshows, print advertising (magazines, newspapers, coupon books, billboards), referral (also known as word-of-mouth marketing), radio, and television.

ii. Digital Marketing Strategies

• Social Media Marketing Platforms.
• Influencer Marketing.
• Email Marketing.
• Content Marketing.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Marketing.
• Pay-per-click (PPC).
• Affiliate Marketing
• Mobile Marketing.

iii. Social Media Marketing Plan

• Create a personalized experience for our customers.
• Create an efficient content marketing strategy.
• Create a community for our audience.
• Start using chatbots.
• Gear up our profiles with a diverse content strategy.
• Use brand advocates.
• Create profiles on the relevant social media channels.
• Run cross-channel campaigns.

c. Pricing Strategy

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. employs a competitive pricing strategy, offering interest rates and fees that align with market standards. Our transparent and straightforward fee structure ensures clarity for borrowers, fostering trust and satisfaction.

While rates may reflect the risk associated with collateral-based lending, our commitment to flexibility allows for tailored solutions, accommodating the diverse financial needs of real estate investors and developers.

Sales and Distribution Plan

A. sales channels.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. maximizes its market reach through a multi-faceted sales approach. Our primary channels include a robust online platform for loan applications, providing clients with convenient access and rapid response times.

Additionally, our seasoned team of relationship managers actively engages with real estate professionals, attending industry events and networking to build strategic partnerships.

We leverage digital marketing to enhance brand visibility and attract potential borrowers. Emphasizing a client-centric approach, our sales channels aim to offer personalized service, comprehensive information, and efficient processes, ensuring a seamless experience for real estate investors and developers seeking tailored hard money lending solutions.

b. Inventory Strategy

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. optimizes its inventory strategy by maintaining a diverse portfolio of collateralized assets, predominantly focusing on real estate properties. Rigorous due diligence ensures the quality and market potential of the assets.

We proactively monitor market trends and adjust our inventory to align with emerging opportunities and mitigate risks. The strategy includes a careful balance between risk and return, allowing us to adapt to evolving market conditions.

c. Payment Options for Customers

• Bank Transfers
• Credit or Debit Card
• Electronic Payment Systems such as PayPal or Venmo.

d. Return Policy, Incentives and Guarantees

Return policy:.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. is committed to transparency and fair dealings. Our return policy is aligned with industry standards, specifying interest rates and fees.

In the event of loan prepayment or early settlement, borrowers benefit from a pro-rata interest adjustment, ensuring equitable terms. We prioritize flexibility, allowing borrowers to explore refinancing options if their financial circumstances change.

Incentives:

To reward our valued clients, Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. offers competitive incentives, including reduced fees for repeat borrowers and favorable terms for long-term partnerships. Our loyalty program aims to recognize and appreciate the trust placed in our services, fostering enduring relationships.

Guarantees:

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. assures a commitment to ethical lending practices. Our guarantees include transparent communication, adherence to regulatory requirements, and diligent risk management.

We guarantee a client-focused approach, ensuring that each borrower receives personalized attention and tailored solutions.

While we mitigate risks through thorough due diligence, our commitment to resolving issues promptly underscores our dedication to client satisfaction.

c. Customer Support Strategy

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. prioritizes an unwavering commitment to customer support, aiming for excellence in every interaction.

Our strategy revolves around accessibility, offering multiple communication channels for swift responses to inquiries or concerns.

A dedicated team of knowledgeable and empathetic customer service representatives ensures a seamless experience throughout the lending process.

We proactively engage with clients, providing regular updates and fostering open communication. Embracing a client-centric ethos, we prioritize problem resolution, aiming for customer satisfaction and trust.

Continuous feedback mechanisms and personalized assistance underscore our dedication to delivering a superior customer support experience.

Operational Plan

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. executes a comprehensive operational plan to ensure efficiency and excellence in hard money lending.

Central to our strategy is the seamless integration of technology, automating processes for quick approvals, and streamlined transactions.

Rigorous risk management protocols guide our lending decisions, emphasizing thorough due diligence on collateral and borrowers.

Our skilled team of professionals, specializing in real estate and finance, implements market-responsive strategies. Regular training programs ensure staff expertise in evolving industry trends.

Focused on compliance, we adapt swiftly to regulatory changes. This operational agility, combined with a commitment to transparency, positions us to deliver tailored and secure lending solutions, fostering success for our clients.

a. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Hard Money Lending Business?

A typical day at Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. involves a dynamic blend of activities. The team engages in market research to stay abreast of real estate trends, assesses potential projects, and conducts due diligence on collateral and borrowers.

Loan processing is streamlined through technology, facilitating quick approvals. Relationship managers actively collaborate with clients and industry professionals, attending to inquiries and fostering partnerships.

The day includes adherence to regulatory requirements, risk management reviews, and team training to maintain expertise. Each day revolves around efficient, client-centric operations, driving success in hard money lending.

b. Production Process

There is no production process.

c. Service Procedure

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. executes a streamlined service procedure to ensure a seamless experience for clients. The process is initiated with an intuitive online application, leveraging technology for swift initial assessments.

Thorough due diligence follows, with our team conducting rigorous collateral and borrower evaluations. Transparent communication is paramount, providing clients with regular updates on their loan status.

Upon approval, funds are disbursed promptly. Throughout the lifecycle, dedicated relationship managers offer personalized support, addressing inquiries and fostering strong client relationships.

Our service procedure prioritizes efficiency, transparency, and client satisfaction, positioning Jared Moore® as a trusted partner in facilitating the financial success of real estate investors and developers.

d. The Supply Chain

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. has an efficient supply chain focused on financial services. Our sourcing involves strategic partnerships, and utilizing technology for streamlined loan processing.

Emphasizing transparency and adaptability, our supply chain ensures the swift and secure provision of hard money lending solutions, positioning us as a reliable financial partner for real estate investors and developers.

e. Sources of Income

The sources of income for Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. are primarily generated through the following avenues:

• Interest Rates
• Late Payment Fees
• Loan Renewal Fees
• Repossession and Sale of Collateral
• Default Interest and Penalties
• Volume of Loans.

Financial Plan

A. amount needed to start your hard money lending company business.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. would need an estimate of $15 million to successfully set up our hard money lending company in the United States of America. Note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

b. What are the Costs Involved?

• Business Registration Fees – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $2,300.
• Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – $5,000.
• Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
• Insurance – $15,400.
• Rent/Lease – $120,000.
• Other start-up expenses including, commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($2,800).
• Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• Working Capital – $14 million
• Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
• Website: $600
• Opening party: $3,000
• Miscellaneous: $2,000

c. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. will not build a new facility for our hard money lending company.

d. What are the Ongoing Expenses for Running a Hard Money Lending Business?

• Employee compensation, including salaries, wages, and benefits for loan officers.
• Monthly rent or lease payments for storefront locations or office space where the business operates.
• Expenses related to marketing campaigns, advertising materials, online advertising, and community outreach efforts to attract and retain customers.
• Costs associated with utilities, such as electricity, water, and internet services, as well as office supplies like paper, ink, and office equipment maintenance.
• Subscription fees or licensing costs for loan management software and ongoing IT services.
• Expenses for legal counsel, compliance experts, and regulatory consultants to ensure compliance with state and federal lending regulations.
• Insurance coverage to protect against potential losses, including liability insurance and insurance on repossessed property or collateral.
• Fees for property appraisal and inspection services
• Expenses associated with repossessing property, including auction fees, in cases of loan default.
• Costs associated with obtaining and renewing business licenses, permits, and regulatory fees required to operate legally within a state.

e. What is the Average Salary of Your Staff?

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner) – $85,000 Per Year
• General Manager – $65,000 Per Year
• Compliance Officer – $58,000 Per Year
• Accountant – $50,000 Per Year
• Loan Advisors (Loan Officers) – $55,000 Per Year
• Sales and Marketing Officer – $35,000 Per Year
• Customer Service Representative – $34,100 Per Year

f. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Hard Money Lending Business?

• Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
• Raising money from investors and business partners
• Sell shares to interested investors
• Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
• Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
• Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

Hard money lending businesses typically charge borrowers through interest rates and fees. The exact amount a hard money lending business charges can vary widely depending on various factors, including state regulations, the loan amount, the value of the property used as collateral, and the specific terms negotiated between the lender and the borrower.

Note that hard money lending interest rates are often stated as an annual percentage rate (APR). The APR can vary significantly but is generally higher than traditional loans. It is not uncommon for hard money lending APRs to range from 100% to 300% or more.

b. Sales Forecast?

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. anticipates steady growth in loan originations and profitability over the next three years.

Our financial projections are based on a prudent risk management approach and a commitment to maintaining a strong and diversified portfolio of collateralized assets.

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $4 million
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $7 million
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $10 million

c. Estimated Profit You Will Make a Year?

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. is projecting to make.

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): (5% of revenue generated)
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): (15% of revenue generated)
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): (20% of revenue generated)

d. Profit Margin of a Hard Money Lending Company Business 

The profit margin of a hard money lending company business is not fixed. It could range from 5 percent to 20 percent depending on some unique factors.

Growth Plan

A. how do you intend to grow and expand by opening more retail outlets/offices or selling a franchise.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. will grow our hard money lending company by first opening other outlets in key cities in the United States of America, and Canada within the first seven years of establishing the business and then will start selling franchises from the seventh year.

b. Where do you intend to expand to and why?

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. plans to expand to

• Portland, Oregon
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Denver, Colorado
• Tampa, Florida
• San Diego, California
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Dallas, Texas
• Atlanta, Georgia.

Internationally, we plan to expand to Canada. The reason we intend to expand to these geographic locations is the fact that available statistics show that the cities listed above have a growing market for hard money lending businesses.

Jared Moore® Hard Money Lending, Inc. plans to exit the business via family succession. We have positioned structures and processes in place that will help us achieve our plan of successfully transferring the business from one family member to another and from one generation to another without difficulties.

The company has successfully developed a detailed transition plan to smoothly hand over responsibilities to the new successor.

This includes transferring ownership, training key personnel, and communicating with employees, customers, and suppliers about the change.

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• Kreyòl Ayisyen

CFPB Extends Compliance Dates for Small Business Lending Rule

Interim final rule extends compliance dates pursuant to court orders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interim final rule to extend compliance deadlines for the small business lending rule. After the CFPB issued the small business lending rule on March 30, 2023, a federal court in Texas stayed the rule pending the Supreme Court’s decision in CFPB v. CFSA . The Texas court also required the CFPB to extend the rule’s compliance deadlines to compensate for the period stayed. Today’s interim final rule follows the recent Supreme Court decision in CFPB v. CFSA.

The interim final rule extends compliance dates by 290 days, which is the time that has elapsed between the Texas court’s first issuance of a stay last year and the Supreme Court’s decision in CFPB v. CFSA last month. Lenders with the highest volume of small business loans must begin collecting data by July 18, 2025; moderate volume lenders by January 16, 2026; and the smallest volume lenders by October 18, 2026. The deadline for reporting small business lending data to the CFPB remains June 1 following the calendar year for which data are collected. Thus, high volume lenders will first submit data by June 1, 2026, while moderate and low volume lenders will first submit data by June 1, 2027. Under the interim final rule, lenders may continue using their small business originations from 2022 and 2023 to determine their initial compliance date, or instead use their originations from 2023 and 2024.

Lenders may choose to start collecting data earlier. The rule permits lenders to collect demographic data up to one year before their compliance date to test their procedures and systems. The CFPB has also updated its grace period to reflect the revised dates. The CFPB does not intend to assess penalties for reporting errors for the first 12 months of collection, and it intends to conduct examinations only to assist lenders in diagnosing compliance weaknesses, so long as lenders engage in good faith compliance efforts.

Resources to help lenders implement the small business lending rule are located on the Small Business Lending Database web page. The CFPB's small business lending data submission platform will be available for open beta testing in August. Interested beta testing participants and others who wish to receive updates related to rule more generally should sign up for updates on the Small Business Lending Database page and adding their email address in the email sign up box.

Read today’s interim final rule .

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that implements and enforces Federal consumer financial law and ensures that markets for consumer financial products are fair, transparent, and competitive. For more information, visit www.consumerfinance.gov .

[email protected]

+44 (0)1458 253536, asset-based lending data shows industry remains healthy.

Banks and other lenders shared a mostly positive outlook for the asset-based lending market in the first quarter, fueled by predictions of a soft landing for the U.S. economy. But they are mindful of looming regulatory changes and continue to monitor portfolios for signs of post-pandemic stress, according to data released by the Secured Finance Network (SFNet).

SFNet surveyed bank and non-bank asset-based lenders (ABLs) on key indicators for its quarterly Asset-Based Lending Index and the SFNet Confidence Index.

“On balance, the ABL industry remains healthy and has a moderately improving outlook even though current economic conditions have limited demand for borrowing,” said SFNet CEO Richard Gumbrecht.

The most positive expectations among lenders centered on portfolio performance and employment. But they indicated softening expectations for new-business demand and client utilization rates.

Weaker-than-expected consumer spending and declining business inventories contributed to just 1.3% growth in the first quarter, the report said. And consumer spending was pinched by rising debt burdens and slowing real income growth.

Survey highlights

Bank and non-bank expectations for general business conditions moved in different directions but ended up at a similar level, suggesting that both lender groups expect conditions to remain roughly the same, the report said.

For banks, asset-based loan commitments (total committed credit lines) were flat from the fourth quarter of 2023 to early 2024. Outstandings (total asset-based loans outstanding) ticked up by 1.3%.

“It was another quiet quarter for deal activity, with new commitments with new clients falling (-36.5%),” the report said. “However, commitment runoff fell by more (-40.4%), so net commitments were positive.”

Non-banks had a similarly quiet quarter. Commitments were flat but total outstandings inched up 3.2%.

The credit-line utilization rate, meanwhile, increased for bank and non-bank lenders. Bank utilization remained below the long-term historical average, the report said, and non-bank utilization was just above average.

Portfolio performance appears to be turning a corner and was stable in the first quarter for both banks and non-banks, according to the Asset-Based Lending Index. Banks reported an increase for criticized and classified loans and write-offs, but non-accruals declined.

Non-banks, meanwhile, reported decreased non-accruals and write-offs.

“Employment in the industry will likely be steady, as roughly 3 in 4 lenders expect headcounts to remain the same,” the report said.

The asset-based lending market continues to persevere in a difficult economic environment and is poised to help clients meet their working capital needs, the report said.

“As the large liquidity injection from the pandemic-era stimulus burns off, lenders will continue to carefully monitor portfolios for signs of stress but portfolios remain healthy by historical standards,” the report said.

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Judges Block Parts of Biden’s Student Loan Repayment Plan

A part of the SAVE plan that would have cut monthly bills for millions of borrowers starting on July 1 was put on hold.

By Tara Siegel Bernard and Zach Montague

Two federal judges in Kansas and Missouri temporarily blocked pieces of the Biden administration’s new student loan repayment plan on Monday in rulings that will have implications for millions of federal borrowers.

Borrowers enrolled in the income-driven repayment plan, known as SAVE, are expected to continue to make payments. But those with undergraduate debt will no longer see their payments cut in half starting on July 1 , a huge disappointment for borrowers who may have been counting on that relief.

The separate preliminary injunctions on Monday are tied to lawsuits filed this year by two groups of Republican-led states seeking to upend the SAVE program, a centerpiece of President Biden’s agenda to provide relief to student borrowers. Many of the program’s challengers are the same ones that filed suit against Mr. Biden’s $400 billion debt-cancellation plan, which the Supreme Court struck down last June.

“All of this is an absolute mess for borrowers, and it’s pretty shocking that state public officials asked the courts to prevent the Biden administration from offering more affordable loan payments to their residents at time when so many Americans are struggling with high prices,” said Abby Shafroth, co-director of advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center. “It’s a pretty cynical ploy in an election year to stop the current president from being able to lower prices for working- and middle-class Americans.”

The preliminary injunctions freeze parts of the SAVE plan until the cases are decided.

In a statement, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said the Biden administration strongly disagreed with the court decisions. “Today’s rulings won’t stop our administration from using every tool available to give students and borrowers the relief they need,” she said.

Eleven states led by Kansas filed a lawsuit challenging the SAVE program in late March in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. The next month, Missouri and six other states sued in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Both suits argued that the administration had again exceeded its authority, and that the repayment plan was a backhanded attempt to wipe debts clean.

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Student-loan borrowers who were set to get debt cancellation or lower payments through Biden's new repayment plan won't get it — for now. Here's what you need to know.

• Two federal judges blocked parts of the SAVE income-driven, student-loan repayment plan on Monday.
• The rulings mean that student-loan forgiveness and lower payments set to begin in July cannot move forward.
• The Justice Department is appealing the rulings, and the courts have yet to make final decisions. 

Legal challenges against President Joe Biden's student-debt relief efforts are back — and the latest rulings are bad news for his new repayment plan.

On Monday evening, district courts in Kansas and Missouri handed down rulings blocking parts of the new SAVE income-driven repayment plan , first introduced last summer with the goal of giving borrowers more affordable payments and a shorter timeline for loan forgiveness.

The first lawsuit was filed in March in Kansas by 11 GOP state attorneys general, and the second was filed in April in Missouri by seven GOP state attorneys general. In both cases, the plaintiffs requested that the courts block the SAVE plan and the loan forgiveness that comes with it, arguing that the relief is beyond the administration's authority.

Monday's district court rulings were different, but both dealt blows to the SAVE plan. Kansas Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled that new provisions through SAVE set to go into effect July 1, like lower monthly payments, cannot be implemented as the legal process progresses. Missouri Judge John Ross ruled that the plan's provision to cancel student debt for borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or lower who made as few as 10 years of qualifying is now blocked, as well.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona condemned the rulings on Monday, saying in a statement that "the Department of Justice will continue to vigorously defend the SAVE Plan."

"Republican elected officials and special interests sued to block their own constituents from being able to benefit from this plan – even though the Department has relied on the authority under the Higher Education Act three times over the last 30 years to implement income-driven repayment plans," Cardona said.

"While we continue to review these rulings, the SAVE plan still means lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers - including more than 4 million borrowers who owe no payments at all, and protections for borrowers facing runaway interest when they are making their monthly payments," he added.

Related stories

Here's what borrowers should know about the rulings.

First ruling: No new payment reforms

Student-loan borrowers who have already enrolled in SAVE can continue making the payments the plan calculated for them. However, the new provisions set to go into effect July 1 — including cutting undergraduate borrowers' payments in half and forgiveness credit for period of deferment of forbearance — are halted.

Here's why: Kansas' Crabtree ruled , in part, in favor of the attorneys general, and he explained in his ruling that the SAVE plan's monthly payment cap and shortening of the payment period for forgiveness "overreach any generosity Congress has authorized before."

However, Crabtree ruled to preserve the provisions of SAVE that have already gone into effect because the plaintiffs failed to adequately show how they suffered harm from parts of the plan already in place. For example, the Education Department outlined in June 2023 its intention to cap monthly payments and announced the shorter timeline to forgiveness a month in advance, leaving the attorneys general with time to challenge the plan earlier.

"All of this is to ask why: if these parts of the SAVE Plan promised an irreparable harm to plaintiffs, why didn't they move to enjoin the SAVE Plan before they took effect?" Crabtree wrote.

However, with regards to the new SAVE provisions set to go into effect July 1, Crabtree ruled that the plaintiffs succeeded in showing harm because there was no delay in challenging the plan's unimplemented provisions, and any forthcoming relief would be irreversible.

So rather than reversing or altering any of the provisions through SAVE already implemented, Crabtree decided to halt any new measures that have yet to be implemented until the court makes a final decision.

Second ruling: No student-loan forgiveness

While thousands of borrowers have already received student-loan forgiveness through the SAVE provision, which cancels debt for borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or less, no more borrowers will be able to partake in that relief for now.

Missouri's Ross handed down a different ruling regarding SAVE. He first said that Missouri's argument that the plan would harm student-loan company MOHELA — based in Missouri — due to lost revenue has standing, given it was the same conclusion the Supreme Court reached when it struck down Biden's first attempt at broad debt relief last summer.

With regards to the fate of SAVE, Ross decided that while already implemented provisions of SAVE can remain, any future student-loan forgiveness through the plan is blocked. He wrote that Congress did not account for the scale of loan forgiveness under SAVE, and as a result, the attorneys general have "a 'fair chance' of success on the merits on their claim that the Secretary has overstepped its authority by promulgating a loan forgiveness provision as part of the SAVE program."

He also said that even without allowing student-loan forgiveness, the other provisions, like lower payments and limited interest accrual, will still provide relief to borrowers. Since the attorneys general did not adequately argue why the other provisions should be blocked, Crabtree said he would only place a preliminary injunction on the debt cancellation.

Cardona said on Tuesday that the Justice Department will appeal the rulings.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the Education Department will "continue to enroll more Americans in SAVE and help more students and borrowers access the benefits of the plan that remain available, including $0 payments for anyone making $16 an hour or less, lower monthly payments for millions more borrowers, and protecting borrowers from runaway interest if they are making their monthly payments."

Watch: Why student loans aren't canceled, and what Biden's going to do about it

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