Business Term Loan

The most common type of business loan, traditional term loans are what most people think of when they look for a loan. The bank or other financial institution loans you a lump sum of money, usually secured against collateral, and you pay that money back, principal and interest, with regular payments over a set time period. Interest can be fixed or variable, depending upon the amount of the loan and what the loan is for. The most common type of term loan, and the one we’re all familiar with, is a mortgage for a home or commercial property. Term loans work the same way.

While these loans usually come from a bank, there are other lending institutions available. Big Think keeps a comprehensive list of these lenders. Some lenders will only deal with certain types of businesses, while others focus on specific geographic areas.

If you qualify for this type of loan, you can use the money for anything your business needs, from equipment to expansion to covering short term cash shortages.

Benefits

• Set payments at regular intervals
• Can be used for a wide variety of purposes
• Relatively low interest rate
• Long repayment schedule

Drawbacks

• Lengthy application process
• May carry early payment penalty
• Variable interest rates may increase