Business Loans for Financial Advisors

What are business loans for financial advisors?

Financial advisors need business loans to help them increase market share, acquire other practices, keep their industry profile high, debt consolidation, and more.

In most cases, a business loan for a financial advisor will be borrowed as a lump sum and paid back over a short, medium, or long term, plus interest. There are other options available, however, if a more flexible form of financing is needed.

Why should financial advisors consider business financing?

There are various reasons for financial and wealth advisors to consider financing. Below are just a few:

• Business acquisitions: Buying another company can often be the fastest way to grow your business. Rather than organic growth, business acquisitions allow your business to fast-track expansion and enable you to quickly react to market growth. The sort of loan you seek depends on many factors such as whether the deal involves complete or partial asset purchase, complete or partial equity purchase, and is internal or external.
• To help with succession planning: A loan can allow the existing owners to maximize the monetary possibilities of stepping down while allowing the new owners to go on and prosper.
• Working capital: A loan for boosting working capital means you can keep ahead in the tech game and position yourself advantageously in the marketplace. Most lenders are reluctant to lend less than $100,000 or more than $350,000 for working capital.
• Recruiting: Growth means hiring more talent, and having a cash boost makes sure you get the right staff in key positions.
• Commercial real estate: A growing financial advice company doesn’t just need a bigger workforce, it often needs more office space too. A loan can give your company the opportunity to buy and develop the right real estate and building.
• Debt consolidation: To improve liquidity, you could reduce your debt burden by restructuring existing loans and increasing cash flow. Both conventional bank loans and SBA loans can be used for debt consolidation but sometimes there are constraints on how it is used.

Types of business loans for financial advisors

Bank loans

The conventional business loan is a term loan. The lender agrees to give you a certain sum of money which you pay back regularly, plus interest, over the term of the loan. Terms and interest rates are largely based on your situation, the amount you want to borrow, and the lender.

Bank loans are often the most financially effective way for a business to get finance offering low interest rates and generous terms. However, they are hard to qualify for unless you and your company have excellent credit and a proven trading history.

SBA loans

The Small Business Administration does not fund SBA loans itself, rather it guarantees between 75% and 85% of the loan amount. You apply for the loan through an approved lender and the SBA underwrites it. Because of this safety net, loan providers are happy to charge low interest rates and long terms when needed.

Because of this, SBA loans are sought after and difficult to get. Don’t expect a quick turnaround and funding. The application process is demanding and may take some time before approval and you receive the finance.

The SBA is also quite strict on how you use the money generated. For instance, if used for acquisition, one requirement is that the seller cannot remain in the business in any capacity though they may be used as a consultant for a maximum of 12 months.

Alternative lenders

There are many new lenders offering loans suitable for financial advisors. They may advance money for any of the above uses but only to a limited amount. While SBA loans may stretch into the millions of dollars most alternative lenders have rather lower maximums and shorter terms – a maximum of 10 years or so.

However, if you are looking for a loan up to perhaps $250,000, these new lenders do offer some advantages. Most have simple and fast application processes, rapid approval times, and you could have the money in your account in a matter of a few days – often without the need for collateral.

But alternative lenders may not offer the lowest interest rates, certainly not compared with SBA loans so take note of what is offered before you commit.

What are the pros and cons of business loans for financial advisors?

PROS

• A loan allows you to capitalize on a business opportunity when it becomes available
• A loan allows you to retain your working capital
• When making an investment you can spread the costs over time to make it easier to afford, and improve cash flow
• You don’t need to liquidate your assets which may be doing more for you than they would paying for your expansion

CONS

• A loan can be difficult to qualify for
• Finding the monthly repayments might become a burden
• You may find your opportunities are somewhat limited until the loan is paid off

How financial advisors can qualify for business financing

To get approval for a business loan usually requires:

• an excellent credit score, both personally (typically 680 or higher) and for the business
• At least 2 years of trading and profitability. Anything less and your options will be fewer. Not only that but with lower qualifications you are likely to be saddled with higher interest rates and shorter terms
• Annual revenue of at least $50,000, though many require $100,000