How Alternative Lending Sources are Accelerating Growth of Small Businesses?

1. How Alternative Lending Sources are Accelerating Growth of Small Businesses?

2. Here’s a news piece that had me thinking for quite a while. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, with research partner Dun & Bradstreet, released a surprising result from their Q2 PCA (Private Capital Assesment) Index this June 2019. Alternative lending options are witnessing a steep rise for both small and mid-sized businesses. The report further detailed how attempts to secure loans from traditional sources went down in Q2 in comparison to Q1.

3. Reading this particular news, it is but natural to get curious over why alternative lending sources are being favored over the traditional ones. There has to be a reason why alternative lending sources are accelerating the growth of small businesses. Being a habitual analytic, I tried rationalizing over this, and here are some of the key takeaways.

4. Let’s delve. The small business financing demographic has been changing rapidly. There are several financing options to choose from, and more businesses are opting for alternative sources. But why?

5. Businesses need financing when they come across an unexpected growth opportunity or have an obstacle to overcome that needs capital. When you have all the right elements- talent, opportunity, and a vision, lack of capital flow hurts more than ever. Alternative lenders have emerged as a reliable and powerful option for a multitude of reasons.

6. Relaxation in Credit Requirements Most of the time, small businesses do not have an established line of credit. Lack of cash reserves further restricts their growth plan. Traditional lending options from banks come with tough conditions like heavy collaterals and high credit score requirements. The uncomfortable truth is that those who can meet these requirements usually don’t need financing. And those who need one do not have the luxury of collaterals.

7. Alternative lending options save the day for many such small businesses with their relaxed credit requirements. For instance, both Crest Hill Capital and Mantis Funding provide varying sizes of cash advances without the obligation of putting up a collateral and credit score. Definitely, the scales dip in favor of alternative financing.

8. Flexibility in Credit Terms There is an advantage of availing financing from alternative sources that aren’t regulated by governments and banks. As a borrower, you get to reap benefits from flexible credit terms. You can repay over a more extended period of time, choosing installments that fit within your budget. This flexibility in terms is not offered by traditional banks. When it comes to customer-centric deals, you will hear no Cresthill Capital complaints!

9. Speed and Availability Besides flexible terms and relaxed requirements, alternative lending sources win over traditional banks in the speed and easy access to financing. Banks aren’t usually equipped to fast track an application; in fact, they are generally disinterested in doing so for small businesses. The reason being, it isn’t beneficial for them.

10. But an alternative lending source, like Cresthill Capital/Mantis Funding, takes pride in their fast processing and disbursal. For time-sensitive financing, alternative sources are the best bet for small businesses, no doubt. Have you considered financing from an alternative source? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments below.