What Lenders Look for in a Business Plan

Your business plan is important. It defines your vision and mission and serves as a roadmap. It’s also essential for getting a business loan. Here are the key things lenders look for in a business plan:

1. History of the business: Explain where your business started and how it has grown. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to showcase your business acumen.

2. Revenue generation: Detail how you make money, including how customers are served, products or services are delivered, and how money is collected.

3. Management: Introduce your management team and their relevant skills and experience in leading and growing your specific business.

4. Market: Provide information on your target market, including population size, market viability, competition, and how you differentiate yourself. Mention marketing and publicity efforts to demonstrate continuous revenue creation and growth.

5. Financials and debt coverage ratios: Include detailed financials, assets, liabilities, and repayment structures to give lenders a clear picture of your business’s financial health. Ensure adequate cash flow and debt service coverage ratios to meet loan payments.

6. Projections: Discuss future financial expectations, considering both scenarios with and without funding. Include projections for job creation, market growth, product development, and account for seasonal or cyclical changes in your business.

7. Collateral: List the assets your company currently owns, including patents, real estate, or other collateral that can be leveraged against your debt. Personal property like rental properties can also be considered additional collateral.

8. Purpose of the loan: Clearly state why you need the loan and how it will fulfill a specific business goal, such as expansion, relocation, or equipment installation.

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Remember, lenders may also consider other factors beyond the business plan, such as secondary repayment sources, residency, and criminal records. Be responsive to all their requests and provide as much information as possible to demonstrate your company’s reliability. With today’s lending landscape, it’s crucial to optimize your chances for success. Don’t let your business plan hold you back.

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