What is the Best Type of Loan for My Business?
June 6, 2019 | Posted by: Venus Zoleta | Personal Loan
June 6, 2019
Finding good sources of funding is a critical step in starting a business. A business loan from the government, a bank, or a private lender is one financing option for budding small and medium business owners.
Business loans come in a variety of types that suit different business requirements. Before you start searching for the right loan for your startup business, it helps to have an idea of the types of business loans available to you. Doing so helps you understand your options better and easily find the loan that matches your needs.
7 Considerations When Choosing a Business Loan
Which type of loan best fits your business financing needs? Consider these seven important factors first.
1. Your Purpose for Borrowing Money
What do you need the money for? Is it for a short-term need like buying inventory and supplies to meet seasonal demand? Or you’re looking to fund a long-term investment like building your shop?
The types of business loan in the Philippines cater to a specific purpose, be it short-term, long-term, or both. Be clear about your goals from the get-go.
2. Loan Amount
Next, determine how much you need to borrow for your business. Loanable amounts vary according to the type of loan and the lender. For example, secured business loans typically have higher loan amounts than unsecured loans. The higher the value of your collateral, the better your chances of qualifying for a higher loan amount. Also, most banks lend higher amounts to entrepreneurs than government agencies and private lenders in the Philippines.
3. Method of Funding
How do you prefer to access your funds? Do you want to receive the loan proceeds as a one-time lump-sum amount? Or you’d rather access the money only when you need it? Business loan types largely differ in the way the loan proceeds are released to the borrower.
4. Loan Term
How long can you realistically pay the business loan? Can you pay it off within a year? Or you need a longer time to complete your loan repayments?
5. Repayment Mode
What mode of loan payment will work better for you: fixed or flexible monthly payments? The right choice depends on the cash flow of your business.
6. Collateral
Do you have a valuable asset you’re willing to put up as collateral for a secured business loan? If so, the amount you can borrow will depend on the appraised value of your collateral.
7. Interest Rate
Of course, you want to get the best business loan at the lowest rate possible. But it can be quite tricky because interest rates vary according to the lender’s prevailing rate, loan term, and type of loan. For instance, lenders charge higher interest rates on unsecured business loans than secured loans.
After you’ve considered all these factors, take a look at each type of business loan. As an entrepreneur launching a startup in the Philippines, you have four choices: term loans vs. credit lines and secured vs. unsecured loans. Let this guide help you find the best business loan for you.
Read more: Personal Loan Fees and Charges to Consider Before Borrowing Money
Business Loan Type #1: Term Loans
What is a Term Loan?
A term loan allows entrepreneurs to meet their short-term or long-term business funding needs while keeping their own funds intact. This is a great option for startup owners who want to make their loan repayments more manageable by spreading them out in regular installments.
Is a Term Loan Suitable for Your Business?
Terms loans are ideal for short-term or long-term funding for the following purposes:
- New equipment for increasing production or expanding a business
- Construction, renovation, or purchase of office space, store, warehouse, and other properties
- Adding fixed working capital to a business
- Financing a franchise business
Loan Amount
Lenders provide term loan amounts ranging from PHP 100,000 to PHP 20 million.
Method of Funding
Borrowers receive the full loan amount as a lump sum credited to their deposit account.
Loan Term
Short-term loans are payable within a year, while long-term loans can be paid up to five to 15 years, depending on the lender.
Repayment Mode
Most term loans for businesses are paid back in fixed or equal monthly payments that include both the principal and interest.
Term Loan Options for Startups in the Philippines
| Loan Amount | Loan Term | Interest Rate | Repayment Mode | |
| BDO SME Term Loan | PHP 1 million – PHP 20 million | 1 – 10 years |
| Monthly amortizations |
| BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loan |
| 1 – 10 years | Prevailing market interest rates | Monthly or quarterly amortizations |
| Metrobank SME Term Loan | PHP 1 million – PHP 20 million |
| “At competitive interest rates” | Monthly or quarterly amortizations |
| OWWA Loan (for OFWs) |
| Up to 7 years | 7.5% fixed for the entire loan duration | Monthly amortizations |
| PSBank SME Term Loan with Prime Rebate |
| 1 – 10 years | Prevailing PSBank rate at the time of loan availment | Monthly amortizations |
| Security Bank SME Business Mortgage Loan | PHP 1 million – PHP 20 million | 1 – 10 years | 7% – 10% (depending on loan term) | Monthly amortizations |
| SSS Business Development Loan Facility | The lowest of the following:
| Up to 15 years | Prevailing SSS rates | Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual amortizations |
| SSS ASENSO | Maximum of PHP 5 million |
| Prevailing SSS rates | Monthly amortizations |
Business Loan Type #2: Credit Line
What is a Credit Line?
A credit line is a short-term loan that provides quick access to money on demand. It allows greater financial control, as the interest starts accumulating only when you purchase against the credit line. You pay the interest just on the amount that has been used.
Is a Credit Line Suitable for Your Business?
A credit line is ideal for short-term, recurring, or working capital financing for the following purposes:
- Purchase of additional supplies, inventory, or both to meet seasonal demand
- Increasing working capital for financing daily business operations
- Accounts receivable financing
- Contract financing
Loan Amount
Small and medium business owners can borrow from PHP 500,000 to PHP 20 million against a line of credit.
Method of Funding
For credit lines, lenders fund the borrowers’ business checking account to the approved loan amount, giving them access to funds through issuing or encashing checks. The BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loan provides additional ways to access loan proceeds such as ATM withdrawals, EPS (Express Payment System) transactions, and fund transfer via the BPI Express Online.
Loan Term
Credit lines are valid for one year and can be renewed annually upon the lender’s approval.
Repayment Mode
Paying off a credit line is more flexible than that of a term loan. While the interest is paid in monthly installments, borrowers can repay the principal anytime or as often as they can within the loan term. This makes managing cash flow a lot easier for business owners.
Credit Line Options for Startups in the Philippines
| Loan Amount | Loan Term | Interest Rate | Repayment Mode | |
| BDO SME Ready Check | PHP 3 million – PHP 20 million | 1 year (with option to renew) | 7.5% | Flexible monthly amortizations |
| BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loan | Depends on results of credit evaluation | 1 year, renewable (subject to credit evaluation) | Prevailing market interest rates |
|
| Metrobank SME Credit Line | PHP 1 million – PHP 20 million | 1 year, renewable yearly (subject to the bank’s approval) | “At competitive interest rates” |
|
| PSBank SME Business Credit Line |
| 1 year, renewable yearly | “At competitive SME Business Credit Line rates” |
|
Business Loan Type #3: Secured Business Loans
What is a Secured Business Loan?
A secured loan for business requires collateral—such as real estate properties and bank deposits—that the lender will claim to recover its losses in case the borrower defaults on the loan.
The collateral reduces the risk for lenders, which is why secured loans generally have lower interest rates, longer loan terms, and higher loan amounts than unsecured loans. These features make a secured business loan affordable and suitable for startup businesses that need funding at a time when they’re just beginning to make profits.
For secured business loans, lenders charge several collateral-related fees such as appraisal fee and collateral registration fee.
With the exception of a few, term loans and credit lines in the Philippines are secured business loans.
Secured Business Loan Options in the Philippines
| Secured Business Loans | Collateral |
| BDO SME Loan | Residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use property |
| BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loan |
|
| Metrobank SME Business Loans |
|
| OWWA Loan (for OFWs) | Real estate property or any loan security accepted by the bank |
| PSBank SME Loans |
|
| Security Bank SME Business Mortgage Loan |
|
| SSS Business Development Loan Facility / SSS ASENSO | Any collateral accepted by the SSS and partner bank |
Business Loan Type #4: Unsecured Business Loans
What is an Unsecured Business Loan?
As opposed to secured loans, unsecured business loans don’t require collateral and are more difficult to qualify for, especially for those with bad or no credit history. No-collateral business loans come with higher interest rates, shorter loan terms, and lower loan amounts than loans secured by collateral.
Private lenders typically provide unsecured business loans in the Philippines, while only a few major banks have this type of business loan. BPI, for example, offers a zero-collateral option only to those who wish to get a BPI franchising loan for Best List brand partners. The big banks tend to focus on collateralized loans and it can be quite a difficult process to get approved for an unsecured business loan with a decent interest rate. If you find yourself in this situation, consider reputable private businesses such as First Circle, Esquire, or Acudeen. While they have not reached the brand recognition of major banks yet, their processing time is often a lot quicker compared to some banks and depending on your company’s credit profile, their interest rates are sometimes even cheaper.
Unsecured Business Loan Options in the Philippines
| Unsecured Business Loans | BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Franchising Loan (No Collateral option) | Security Bank SME Business Express Loan |
| Loan Amount | Minimum of PHP 100,000 or 60% of total franchise investment | PHP 1 million – PHP 5 million |
| Loan Term | 1 – 3 years | 12, 18, 24, or 36 months |
| Interest Rate | Prevailing market interest rates | Monthly add-on rates of 1.4% to 1.85% depending on the loan term |
| Repayment Mode | Straight amortization | Monthly amortizations |
Final Thoughts
Money is a serious matter when it comes to running a business of any size, startups included. Do your research to determine the suitable type of loan for your business needs. Spare yourself the trouble by using a free online comparison tool that can help speed up your search for the best business loan.
Read More: 6 Big Challenges Startups Must Prepare for in the First Three Years
