The Three Types of Lenders
Full those seeking business funding, there are basically three major types of lenders. Collateral-based, revenue-based, and credit-based. Let’s review their differences and some lending criteria for each. This is meant to be a cursory review not an in-depth overview. Choosing the right type of funding is critical. Collateral-Based Also known as asset-based lending. This refers to valuable assets owned by the borrower that are used as security for the loan. Common examples include real estate (like mortgage notes), equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. Secured loans offer the best rates as the risk is obviously lower than unsecured loans. The collateral itself has intrinsic value. Some little-known uncommon examples of asset-based lending are appraised artwork, appraised coins & card collections, and exotic cars. Lenders will provide a portion (they determine risk) of the value of the asset as a secured loan. Meaning if you have an exotic car worth $300,000, you will not be offered a $300,000 loan. You will receive a portion of its value in the form of a loan determined by the lender. For the uncommon examples the collateral is often held in a secured facility until the loan has been repaid fully. Revenue-Based Revenue-based lenders provide funding to companies in exchange for a percentage of their future revenue. This means the repayment amount (usually daily or weekly) may fluctuate with the borrower's sales, making it a flexible option for businesses, especially those with fluctuating revenue streams. But today, many revenue lenders offer fixed based amortized loans as well. Generally speaking, you don’t need good personal credit (500+). Your credit lines are based solely on revenue. Less than $15,000 per month revenue usually generates offers of 25%-75% of your average monthly revenue as a short-term loan (4-months to 12-months). $15,000 per month revenue or more usually generates offers of 100%-200% of your average monthly revenue as a short-term loan (4-months to 12-months). Some lenders require as little as 4-months in business. Revenue-based loans use factor rates (1.18-1.65), not interest rates.