2. Loan Needs Above $2MM
USDA business loans through North Avenue Capital require borrowers to be seeking financing from $2 million and up. Business owners seeking smaller loan amounts are better served seeking SBA loans. While USDA Business & Industry Loans are similar in many ways to SBA 7(a) loans, those loans have no minimum, although they are commonly for no less than $30,000.
3. A Well-Developed Business Plan for a Startup or Historical Financials for an Established Business
As is the case with any new business seeking a commercial loan, a start-up must be able to provide their lender with a formal, well-developed business plan and feasibility study. This business plan should describe the vision for their prospective new venture, describing their products, services and company in detail. It should include information about their industry, operations, finances, and a market analysis that presents a viable plan for being able to repay the loan.
For existing companies, historical financials are required. This includes:
• A business credit report
• Current balance sheet
• Profit & loss statement under 90 days old
• Cash-flow projections for 2 years
• Pro-forma balance sheet for projected loan closing
• Real estate and/or environmental appraisal, if applicable
• Planned number of jobs created or saved, and average wages of those jobs associated with business expansion, modernization, etc.
4. Collateral to Securitize the Funding Amount Sought on a 1:1 Basis
USDA Business Loans are collateral-backed loans for credit-worthy borrowers. As such, borrowers must be able to securitize the loans with fixed assets valued at an amount equivalent to loan amount requested. Collateral can include any fixed assets such as cash, real estate, equipment. Assets are discounted and valued consistent with sound loan-to-value policy.
5. A Credit Score of 680 or Above and/or a Personal Guarantor
In addition to being able securitize a USDA business loan with collateral, all borrowers must have a good credit history. This means a credit score of at least 680, along with a good payment history and low credit utilization. The higher one’s credit score, the lower the interest rates may be.
Other minimum qualifying criteria set forth by the USDA include the borrower having a tangible balance sheet equity position of at least 10% for an existing business, 20% for a new one, and 25% for construction projects at loan closing. Borrowers may also be required to provide personal and/or corporate guarantees. All owners are required to provide credit reports, including personal or corporate financial statements of loan guarantors.
USDA business loans offer many advantages for rural entrepreneurs desiring to launch a new business, grow and develop an existing one. North Avenue Capital can help assess your eligibility for an RD USDA Business Loan and if qualified, apply for commercial financing. NAC is the nation’s #1 provider of USDA B&I Loans with offices in Northeast Florida, Nevada, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. We work with partners in all 50 states and can help clients wherever they are based. Contact us today at (904) 595-2483.