Showing posts with label canadian loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canadian loans. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Types of Collateral for a Business Loan

Whether you are a limited liability corporation, a sole proprietorship, or a start-up, expanding your company’s potential requires financing. Financial institutions that provide secured loans will look at your balance sheet, revenues, business credit, equity contributions, and company’s history. Even if you operate a healthy and profitable business and pass a credit check, many financial establishments will require guarantees that the business loan will be paid off in full. Different types of collateral can be used to assure the financial institution that there is an alternative source of repayment. In many cases, the collateral is an owner-occupied home (real estate), but you can use equipment, inventory, deposits, and cash savings.

Generally, there are two types of collateral you can offer – assets that the company has a loan against and its own assets. Cars and homes are commonly used as collateral, but you can use pieces of equipment, motorcycles, and watercraft. Asset-based lending is one way to get financing, especially if you have a big purchase order. Bringing on raw materials, equipment, and additional staff is sometimes necessary to meet the requirements of the client. The purchase order can be used as collateral in such cases.

When applying for a secured loan, you may use deposits or cash savings as collateral. Banks accept personal savings because they are a low risk for the financial institution. This applies to financial accounts such as certificates of deposit. The main advantage of using a financial account as collateral is that banks usually offer a low interest rate. The downside is that the financial institution will take possession of your cash savings in case of default.

Businesses that apply for a secured loan should know that financial institutions are conservative when it comes to valuing assets to be used as collateral. In case of default, the bank has to expend resources to seize the asset and try to sell it. Given that banks are conservative, it pays to ask for an appraisal revue that will assess the accuracy of the appraisal. Finally, it is also possible to obtain an unsecured loan, but banks often charge very high interest rates. For more information you can read this useful article.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Guide to Small Business Loans

One of the most problematic hurdles in the way of setting up a business is of capital. This is predominantly true for the Canadian small business owners since a lot of financial institutes shy away from lending money to these owners. Due to global recession and a lot of loan defaulters raising their heads every now and then, most of the financial institutes in Canada prefer lending loans to the big and established companies only. But, one should not be disappointed as there are some solutions that could cater to the needs of Canadian small business owners. However, to attain those solutions, you need to be a great communicator, have a strong and successful business strategy as well as excellent planning and organizing skills.

Basically the sole concern of Canadian Banks is that the borrower would repay the amount lent by the bank in due course of time. For this, the lending institutions want to make sure that the borrower is having a business plan that has prospects of success. So, you have to make the lender satisfied by your answers regarding what your business will be about and if it retains the ability to draw customers and be successful. Business loans are normally applied by sole owners who have no strong property or bank balance to bring out as a collateral, therefore it's a much risky endeavor for lenders. Due to these uncertain factors, banks consider a lot of factors before approving your application for small business loans. However, here are some basic points that you can implement to be successful in your endeavor.

1. It is very critical that you have a strong and clean credit history as this is the first thing that any bank would look at when they get your application in hand. If you have a good credit history, then you can be confident in presenting your case in the light of practical explanations regarding your business. The lender can sense the surety in your voice and you never know it proves helpful in getting you the requested loan amount.

2. To improve your chances of getting loans, it is important that you invest a sound amount of capital in your business, before approaching the lender. Once the lender understands your confidence, success factor, responsible nature and the ability of having sound financial management, you can hope for some positive response.

3. You should be in possession of a sound business plan before knocking the door of the bank or any other lending institute in Canada. The lender needs to know if the money you are borrowing will be used in a productive venture or not. This helps the lender know, if the borrower eventually will be able to repay the amount or not. Therefore, it is important that your business plan should be good enough to stand strong in a competitive market.

4. If the lender is still reluctant over a strong business plan, then you can convince him with collaterals or any other form of loan guarantees. All this will contribute in a good possibility for getting small business loan in Canada.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Is getting a home loan easy

Getting a home loan is not difficult, but the outcome of the application process depends on a number of factors among which job stability, business ownership, level of income, amount available for down payment, funds deposited at a bank, and credit history, among others.

First, crediting institutions favor applicants with an employment history of at least 2 years. In the best case, the applicant has worked for the same employer for two consecutive years. Frequent job changes and employment gaps lower the chances of being granted a bad credit home loan. The borrower's credit history is also important and the better the credit rating, the more favorable the conditions will be. Lenders take into consideration the FICO score as to evaluate the ability of the borrower to repay the loan. While the formula for computing the score is a complex one, a number of factors are taken into account such as bankruptcies, judgments, pay history, collections, as well as residence and job stability.

It will not be difficult to obtain the loan if your monthly payments toward mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards are no more than 41 percent of your total gross income. The debt to income ratio is also important and generally, the less you have borrowed, the better the ratio.

The purpose of the mortgage loan will also determine how easy it is to obtain it. For example, if the borrower applies for a construction loan, the lender will usually require a down payment. Another requirement is a good credit rating. Down payment is not always required, and some lenders feature zero percent down mortgages. While getting a home loan will not be difficult, the repayment terms will not be as favorable. Even a down payment of 5 - 10 percent helps reduce the interest rate on a home loan. The type of property is also important when assessing an application for a home loan. For instance, applicants who seek to buy a condo or manufactured home will pay higher interest charges. Those who want to buy a condo or a 4-plex in a high rise may be required to provide collateral. Properties consisting of 4 or more units also require the provision of collateral.

Lenders are unwilling to lend money to borrowers who are overloaded with multiple debts, especially now, after the recent peak of foreclosures. Borrowers who own a house are favored by the creditors as they are more committed to repaying their loans. In addition, no-down loans are most often an option for borrowers with an excellent or very good credit history.

Borrowers who own a business may have to provide a history of the business, showing how long the company has been in operation.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Low Interest Student Loans Summary

While many students hope to get a grant or scholarship that won't be paid back, these types of college funding are not available to everyone. Even if a scholarship is granted, the amount may not be sufficient to cover all expenses such as rent, tuition, supplies, and textbooks. Low interest student loans are an alternative type of college financing.

College loans are different from other types of debt. They can be deferred or paid at a latter date. The loan payment starts after graduation, and there is a grace period of 6 - 9 months. These loans are typically offered with a lower interest rate compared to credit cards, personal loans, and other types of debt. The interest adds up to the principal after graduation. At the same time, low interest is not equal to interest-free. The interest is paid together with the principal and is compounded interest. The student may owe a much larger amount of money than expected.

A good way to find about low interest loan offers is your university's financial aid office. Those who have been admitted already have higher chances of being approved. Depending on the lender, the repayment terms can be based on the borrower's earnings rather than on the amount borrowed. Surplus earnings can be kept in a high-yield deposit account rather than used to pay off the outstanding debt.

Some financial institutions offer extended terms of payment and low initial payments. Many students find these options attractive, but it is wise to abstain from borrowing under these terms. The loan will be more expensive to service in the long run because interest accumulates. Choosing an affordable payment plan is most important because late and missed payments will affect your credit score. If penalties apply, the loan will cost you more.

The Canada Student Loan Program provides affordable loans to students. The federal government provides financing while the provinces can run their own programs, thus providing additional financing. Students may also apply for a commercial loan with their bank of choice. Scotiabank, for example, offers personal lines of credit to students who can provide proof of enrollment. The Bank of Montreal also offers lines of credit to cover tuition, housing, textbooks, and other expenses. University/ postsecondary students can borrow up to $15,000 during their first year in college and up to $45,000 in total. Students pay interest on the amount they have borrowed while in college, plus one more year after graduation. Canadian citizens and landed immigrants can apply for funding if enrolled full-time for a period of 12 or more weeks.

Our loans guide, will assist you in finding more about student loans in Canada.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

How Do Personal Loans Work

With global recession and ever-high inflation rate, people most of the time find themselves unable to meet their daily needs and requirements. However, to keep the cycle of life moving one needs to meet all the demands of life, due to which many people are forced to take loans. Personal loans are the most convenient loans of all and are meant for bridging the gap between our salaries and our needs.

Personal loans are widely used for various needs. They can be used for clearing utility bills, an urgent replacement of any device, medical emergency or any other situation where you do not have the required money. Moreover, you may want to buy a property or a new car and need loan for that. Sometimes people also take personal loans to go on vacations or to spend on leisure. Whatever purpose you take out the loan for, make very sure that you are able to repay them back effectively. One blow leads to the other and if you do not or cannot pay up the debts in due time, you will find yourself trapped in a financial web in addition to the negative credit marking. Loans may give you instant money but they are not a child's play.

Loans are of various types. We can categorize them in to primarily two broad categories; Secured loans and unsecured loans. The loans in which you keep your belongings as the security of the money you borrow are called the secured loans. Secured loans are usually worth a hundred thousand dollars and that is why are usually borrowed if you need to buy a property or need a very luxurious and long vacation. In addition, the period in which you can repay this loan is around 25 years.

Then the second category is of unsecured personal loans. You do not have to provide any security in the form of your belongings or a property for the loan you borrow in this case as the loan amount normally does not exceed 25,000 dollars.

Apart from the regular personal loans, there the fast personal loans; these loans can be drawn anytime to meet any of your small day to day needs. These loans are or less amount and range between a 100 dollars to a grand. However, one thing you need to focus on is that you have got to repay this amount on monthly basis as well. It may sound a bit inconvenient but that's how it works. Also, if you think about it, they do more good in helping you meet your daily requirements than the bad in paying back. So, if you are going through any financial issue you can get it solved via these loans, which can now be availed online without any hassles.

Monday, October 18, 2010

How to Use a Loan Calculator

Wanting to know how much you will be paying back each month on the loan you need for say studies or maybe to buy a new home, can get complicated and the calculations not for the faint hearted it is handy to make use of loan calculators appropriate for the loan you wish to take.

Depending on the type of loan you are applying for, be it a study loan, personal loan or even a home loan, there is an appropriate loan calculator available for it. Usually agent costs would prevent many from finding the right loan plan for them and often lead to complications down the line. Doing your research beforehand has proven to save you time and money, and loan calculators are most useful in this case.

Several options are available to you online, depending your choice in the loan you need, and it is always wise to speak to the financial provider in person like with your bank. They will most likely be offering free advice and explaining the term of the loans will not be an issue to enquire about.

Spending some time getting to know the different kinds of loans out there will be to your best interest, as it will seem bewildering at first with so many different explanations and words your not normally use to hearing. The loan calculator will usually translate all that to basic numbers you will be facing with each installment.

Information like how much you will be spending each month and what your total repayment will be at the end, considering a fluctuating interest rate, are crucial to deciding on a loan that suits your needs. The loan and mortgage calculator will provide you this information clearly and concisely.

The two options of a home loan for example that allows either a fixed rate or an adjustable rate payment scheme, use different calculations for each case and are applicable due to the adjustable rate fluctuating with the interest rate. Using the correct loan calculator is important in this case.

Unsecured Loans on the other hand will differ from one lender to the next, yet with the use of the loan calculator it will be obvious where your moneys worth will be. Finding a suitable lender to do business with is a task far easier with the use of a loan calculator clearing the words that seems to be too much. Always ensure you read the fine print in any loan you sign for and be informed with the making the loan or mortgage calculator work for you.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Debt Consolidation FAQ

Debt consolidation is simply a method for creating an umbrella under which to place all outstanding debts into one new large loan or repayment program and proceeding with payoffs. There are a couple methods to use to accomplish this task.

Consolidating debt into a larger loan

This is where you obtain money from family, friends or a financial loan institution such as a bank or credit union in an amount large enough to pay off all the debt you wish to consolidate. By doing this you are left with a single loan, which will make managing your finances easier. It clears the deck, so to speak, of the old debt load. It replaces the old debts with one much larger new debt. In reality, you may end up paying more by the time you are done with the debt consolidation than you would have under the separate bills. This is due to taking a longer time for repayment and possibly having more interest in the final accounting. Even if you end up paying more, debt consolidation may allow you to improve your credit score and get on the path of financial health. Consolidating your debt will make budgeting easier, as you will deal with one single payment monthly.

A debt consolidation program.

You can do this via third-party, which can be a non-profit organization. They negotiate with the lenders you owe money to, trying to lower your interest rates, reduce the interest you already owe, and in some cases lower the loan principal. They can also propose a debt settlement plan, in which your creditors accept lower repayment installments. One thing to remember when using a debt consolidation program is that you still need to keep your spending under control. If you keep overspending, You don't stand a chance in your efforts to eliminate debt.

Do-it-yourself approach to debt consolidation

You may want to seek out and obtain a new credit account that is large enough to transfer the old debts over to, if your credit record is still in good shape. If you have damaged credit, the chances of getting a very large new credit account would be very slim to non-existent.

However debt is repaid, debt consolidation means that you bring all debt into a new form. The old financial obligations are retired and substituted for a larger loan, easier to manage.



Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional and/or financial advice. The information found in this article is provided "AS IS", and all warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed by the author.

Monday, May 10, 2010

How To Refinance Your Mortgage?

A vast majority of homeowners are paying too much interest every month due to the fact that their mortgage has not been refinanced lately, and the drastic decrease in the payment could quite possibly help strengthen their financial situation. A lower interest rate can free up additional cash flow monthly, and it also can help consumers pay off their home quicker by applying more money directly to the principal of the loan. The good news is that it is not hard to refinance your mortgage and these steps will help considerably in the process.

Homeowners need to understand that the changing housing market is certainly going to impact the value of their home, but this is normally only of concern to individuals that owe a significant portion of the estimated worth. Consumers with plenty of equity don't need to worry about being able to borrow against their home. It is never a bad idea to have an independent appraiser take a look at the property and give an estimated guess as to what the home will appraise for. The interest rates will be much higher for a loan that is based on less equity in the home.

An important part of the refinancing process is making sure that the best deal possible is obtained, and it is necessary to realize that most Canadian banks are known for rewarding loyalty. Customers that already have an existing relationship with the financial institution will find it much easier to borrow. The associated terms and interest rates will most likely be lower as well.

An individual's credit score is going to influence the lending decision of the bank, but there may be more leeway than most people believe. Any negative history present on the credit report should be explained in detail. References should be provided if at all possible, and employment stability should be proven by pay stubs or a letter of reference.

Homeowners should refinance their mortgage if it makes financial sense, so it is critical that all fees and costs are not too high. As long as the new loan is going to be paid off in the same amount of time or quicker, a person normally stands to gain by refinancing their current loan. Contacting the existing lender can often make for a fairly easy process, and in some cases a full application won't even be required. Certain programs may exist that will enable existing clients to redo the terms of their mortgage without refinancing the entire loan.

Refinancing your mortgage does not have to be a difficult process, and following the above best practices is an excellent way to accomplish the task. Successful refinances can help improve the overall financial picture of a family and make the future brighter.



Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional and/or financial advice. The information found in this article is provided "AS IS", and all warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed by the author.



More information about Refinancing here:
http://www.financialdictionary.net/
http://www.mortgagedictionary.net/
http://www.yourloan.ca/

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Debt Management or Debt Consolidation

Borrowers who can’t keep up with their monthly payments have important decisions to make. They have to figure out which is better: to manage their debt and thus keep it under control or to consolidate it and make it more manageable in this way.

Management or Consolidation?

Cruel as it may sound, debt builds against the financial health of a private person just like the cancer spreads inside the patient’s body. In this line of thought, debt management is applicable when your debt is still manageable, that is, while it could be controlled by means of careful budgeting and responsible planning of the expenses. There are quite a few financial institutions, including virtually all big banks in Canada and the United States, which provide flexible and secure debt management services to their costumers. Essentially, debt management boils down to somebody else’s taking control of your financial situation so as to save you from your own habit of building debt. Its ultimate goal is debt reduction and, in time, debt elimination. Before starting your search for a debt management provider, note that most of the really good debt managers know their price and their services are everything but cheap.

When does debt consolidation come in handy?

Debt management may be compared to some kind of medical treatment meant to prevent the financial cancer in the form of debt from spreading further. Debt consolidation, on the other hand, comes in handy when one already finds it difficult to keep track of numerous debts that he or she has accumulated. It is likely that the borrower will keep on building them avalanche-like in the future, leading in the end to financial collapse, which is also known as bankruptcy.

How does debt consolidation work?

Debt consolidation helps make your debts more manageable by paying off your numerous old debts with one single fresh and often larger debt. If you come to think about it, this could save you tons of cash on interest rates and late payment charges. Instead of paying off many credit cards or consumer loans each month, some of which you are very likely to forget about and incur penalty charges, you will be making one single payment that will cover all your smaller debts.

Debt consolidation isn’t easy to get

When applying for debt consolidation, you practically go to some provider of financial services and tell him: “Look, I have built a startling amount of small and useless debts that are like a millstone on my neck, but if you give me this large loan that I am applying for, I promise to get rid of them and be a good payer in the future.” Will you believe it, if it were you in the banker’s shoes? Probably not but in fact, there are many financial companies on the market whose job it is to help people pay off their debts by means of debt consolidation. All you have to do is shop around for a reliable lender with reasonable interest rates and convince it that you are not going to screw it up again. Good luck!


Information on more debt and bankruptcy and financial terms

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional and/or financial advice. The information found in this article is provided "AS IS", and all warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed by the author.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

What are liquid assets?

The term liquid asset refers to financial resources that can be converted to cash with relative ease. This type of assets covers cash, US treasury bills, money market mutual funds, bonds, stocks, etc. In some states, precious metals such as silver and gold are also regarded as liquid assets. Money is the most liquid assets of all. Investments in the futures and stock markets are more liquid than investments in residential property. In fact, the most liquid market is the foreign exchange market because huge amounts of money change hands every day. In this sense, a single person or company cannot influence the exchange rate.

A characteristic feature of liquid assets is that they are readily saleable on the market. There is a high degree of certainty about the value of liquid assets: the price level of the next sale is typically close to the level of the last trade.

In simple words, a liquid asset is one that can be exchanged efficiently for another good or asset. Assets are described as liquid if they are sold quickly and with no loss of value. For example, one may be able to sell his car or house on eBay in a couple of hours, but there is a good chance that the assets would be sold for less that they are worth. Assets such as real estates and houses take longer to sell at a reasonable market price and are less liquid. Fixed or illiquid assets are not readily saleable as there are no markets to regularly trade them on (or their value is hard to determine).

In personal finance, liquid asset (apart from cash, funds in checking accounts, etc) is any item that may be sold at a fair market price is a short amount of time. These may be appliances, CDs, collectibles, and anything else that brings a good amount of money fast. In the world of business, liquid assets are the assets which a company can sell or trade quickly: cash, stocks, bonds, and funds in banks. Companies have to dispose of liquid assets in order to keep up with their payments. Businesses that do not have an adequate amount of liquid assets can go bankrupt because of a cash flow crisis. However, if a company has too many liquid assets, it is not profiting from these resources by investing them.

Market makers, together with speculators, are the major contributors to assets’ liquidity. These are companies and individuals seeking to make profit from the rising and falling prices of particular assets. They dispose of and provide capital which increases liquidity.

Central banks are key players when it comes to increasing the liquidity of money. They implement various monetary policies to exert control over the monetary supply of the country. Central banks buy and sell government securities and other financial instruments and use interest and exchange rates to implement monetary policy.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

How to get the best loan in Canada?

The first thing to consider when contacting your potential lender is your credit score. As a rule, Canadian loan applicants with higher credit score are considered more reliable payers than those who have a lower credit score. Therefore, they usually qualify for the best interest rates that a lender has to offer. Before applying for a mortgage or a loan consolidation, the first thing to do is to check out your credit history. If you spot any inaccuracies, get in touch with your credit bureau and ask them to re-examine and correct your credit score. However, if your credit score is poor, it is best to raise it before you file an application for another loan.

Getting the best loan is as much a matter of careful planning and research, as it is a matter of negotiation. Once again, your credit score comes in handy – applicants with higher credit scores usually hold stronger positions when negotiating with their lending institution or bank. Keep in mind that most banks typically have options to adjust the interest rate on your loan in your favor, or waive certain service fees.

Being a diligent payer involves a careful monthly budgeting as well as good planning of your financial future. You probably know that you should not take more than you can carry. This rule of thumb is also valid for loans – you should not apply for a loan that will break your back in the long run.

If you are planning to apply for a mortgage, you have to consider how long you intend to stay in the house. If you plan to inhabit it for, say, five or six years, you will probably benefit more from a floating interest rate. On the other hand, if you plan to use your home for some twenty or more years, you may benefit more from the stability of a fixed interest rate.

When choosing your lender, you should compare fees as well as interest rates, plus the annual percentage rate of the loans they offer. If you are applying for a mortgage, you should ask your potential lender or, even better, each of the lenders you contact, to give you a formal “good faith estimate” of all fees you’ll incur with your loan. Thus, you will get a detailed breakdown of costs which is much more accurate than the overview that you’ll get with a mortgage offer. In addition, you should make sure that your Canadian lender understands your individual circumstance and specific financial needs. For instance, some lending institutions have developed special loan offers for applicants with poor credit, while others may have more diverse financing solutions for those who can afford relatively small payments. If you are planning to pay off your mortgage in advance, ask the lending institution for any prepayment penalties.

Sources: Dictionary of Financial Terms