• Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Login  | Call now: (800) 780-7133
Kapitus
  • Problems We Solve
  • Products We Offer
  • Partner With Us
  • Blog
  • APPLY NOW
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

It takes money to make money: Low Debt-to-income Ratio and specific loans that can help grow your small business

May 23, 2019/in Cash Flow Management, Operations /by Bernadette Abel
For small business owners there are many options for using debt to meet your small business’s specific needs.

Small business bank loans totaled nearly $600 billion in 2015, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration reported in U.S. News: “At the same time, lending from alternative sources such as finance companies and peer-to-peer, or P2P, marketplace lenders amounted to $593 billion.”

For some small business owners, borrowing money taking on debt can be a nerve-racking exercise. The business owner may have to put personal possessions, such as their homes, their cars, or other assets up as collateral for the loan. But being a smart business owner means that while you may take out loans and acquire debt, it is important to make sure that such loans can be paid back through your business activities.

This is where your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) comes into play. You can calculate DTI by dividing your business’s monthly total recurring debt by your gross monthly income. DTI is typically expressed as a percentage.

For example, if you want to purchase a newer, bigger property for your business, and your business generates some $100,000 per year in profits, it may be reasonable to purchase a property that costs $200,000; however, it might be problematic for you to purchase a property that costs $20,000,000.

Having a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is ideal.  A low DTI typically means that your business isn’t highly leveraged. It is also an indicator that your business would be able to survive in the event that your sales slumped. However, if you have a high DTI, you would be very much in trouble in the event of a recession or if your industry or business experiences a sudden major slowdown. A 43% DTI is typically the highest ratio that a person can have if they are applying for a mortgage; anything higher would be too risky for a bank to take on. For small businesses this is a good rule of thumb too.

Solutions for all businesses

There are many types of loans that your small business can take out that will allow you to keep your DTI in check so you don’t go overboard and find yourself swimming in an endless stream of debt. Here are examples of some specific types of loans that might benefit your business, depending on your business’s need:

1. Equipment Loan

If you run a construction business that requires you to purchase a bulldozer, you can likely purchase the product with an equipment loan. Typically you will have to make a 10% to 20% down payment.  And, the equipment itself could very well be your collateral. Your loan could come from a direct lender or from the equipment manufacturer itself.

2. Commercial Mortgage Loan

If you are looking to purchase, develop or even refinance property for your business, such as a warehouse or a storefront, you can take out an SBA loan, similar to a residential mortgage. As U.S. News reports, “Loans that are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration are usually 2 to 2.5 percent higher than the prime residential mortgage rate.”

3. Business Credit Loan

Similar to how credit cards work, you receive a maximum amount of money that you can borrow. A strong selling point for business credit loans is that you can use such credit for any business need. This means you may not feel limited and may be able to sprinkle money across many business verticals from leasing property to purchasing supplies.

4. Invoice Finance Loan

If cash flow is a major problem for your business because you have performed services or sent out goods that haven’t been paid for yet by your customers, you can finance this through companies that will cover your gaps in invoicing for a fee and interest.

Also remember, you can take out loans that have to be paid back in varying increments of time. If you don’t anticipate your business being profitable for a few years, you can take out a medium-to-long-term loan.  Loans with these terms may get you through your initial period of setup.  They can also help you make payments to your staff or cashflow required assets. Typically with longer term loans you repay less money per month because payments are spread over a longer period.  But, you must remember that interest compounds over time. So, in the end you will be paying more money in interest with a longer term loan.

Of course it may be beneficial to shop around to make sure you are getting the best rates. It is also important to note that with a low debt-to-income ratio it will be significantly easier for you to attract loans at interest rates that aren’t exorbitant.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://kapitus.com/wp-content/uploads/Kapitus_Logo_white-2-300x81-1-e1615929624763.png 0 0 Bernadette Abel https://kapitus.com/wp-content/uploads/Kapitus_Logo_white-2-300x81-1-e1615929624763.png Bernadette Abel2019-05-23 10:37:572022-04-07 18:13:06It takes money to make money: Low Debt-to-income Ratio and specific loans that can help grow your small business

LATEST FROM KAPITUS

  • To Rent, To Lease or To Buy:  Obtaining Expensive Equipment for Your Business
  • What Type of Financing is Best for Your Small Business?
  • Essential File Management Tips and Trends
  • Should You Take Out a Business Loan? Consider this Checklist
  • How to Strengthen Your Small Business’ Company Culture

Subscribe To Our Blog For More Tips On How To Grow Your Business

Categories

  • Accounting & Taxes
  • Business Expansion
  • Business Loans
  • Business Productivity
  • Business Productivity
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Claim Your Corner of the Internet
  • Company News
  • Featured Stories
  • Financing
  • Human Resources
  • Industry Center
  • Leadership
  • Legal
  • Living Your Best SBO Life
  • Making Her Mark – Influential Women Business Owners
  • Monthly Must Reads
  • News
  • Operations
  • Raising Capital
  • Recruitment
  • Risk Management
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Tax Center
  • Tax Legislation
  • Technology
  • Technology Center
  • Uncategorized

About Us

  • Media Center
  • Team
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Success Stories
  • The Kapitus Difference
  • Developer Documentation
  • Blog

Products

  • Revenue Based Financing
  • Helix® Healthcare Financing
  • Business Loans
  • SBA Loans
  • Line of Credit
  • Invoice Factoring
  • Equipment Financing
  • Purchase Order Financing
  • Concierge Services

Contact Us

  • (800) 780-7133
  • Email Us

Signup For Our Newsletter

[email protected] Kapitus, LLC or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Kapitus, LLC, Kapitus.com, and the Kapitus logo are registered trademarks of Kapitus, Inc. or its affiliates. | Loans made in California are issued by Strategic Funding Source, Inc. dba Kapitus, pursuant to California Finance Lenders License No. 603-G807.
Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
6 online publications that will make you a smarter business owner 6-online-publications-that-will-make-you-a-better-business-owner boost-productivity-with-mini-escapes Boost Productivity with Mini Escapes
Scroll to top
  • Whether you want to learn more about our financing options, are interested in becoming a partner or just have a general question, we’re here to help! Simply fill out the form below and we’ll get it directly into the inbox of the right person.

Step 1 of 4 - Tell us about you

25%
  • Sign up for the Kapitus Partner Program!

  • Sign up for the Kapitus Partner Program!

  • Sign up for the Kapitus Partner Program!

  • Sign up for the Kapitus Partner Program!

Step 1 of 10 - TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRIMARY FINANCING NEED

10%
  • Find the right financing product for you.

    Answer a few questions and we’ll match you with the best product based on your needs and current situations.

  • 1. Answer a few questions. You let us know some basic information about your financing needs, so we can find a match.
    2. See your financing matches. You'll get matched with up to four financing options based on your answers.
    3. Apply for financing. You can apply for all of your financing options by completing one simple application and providing a few documents.
    4. Get an Advisor: You have the option to be assigned a financing specialist to help guide you through the application process.
    If you are looking to determine the best financing option for you, our matching tool streamlines the process and arms you with information that you can use before you apply. To match you with your best options, we ask you to answer a series of basic questions about your existing and future needs, current financial health, and your financing preferences – including amount to be financed, ideal terms and financing urgency. Our system then finds you up to four financing options to fit your needs. Once you’re matched, you can expect to be contacted by one of our financing specialists to help you navigate the application and selection processes.
  • Find your financing match


  • Each financing product has its own minimum and maximum requirements around the amount of money that can be acquired through that option.
  • Find your financing match



    • Business Accountants
    • Marketing & PR Agencies
    • Commercial Cleaning Companies
    • Printers
    • Human Resource & Payroll Firms
    • Office Supplies Organizations
    • Salons/Spas
    • Gyms & Other Workout Studios
    • Pet Services Companies
    • Personal Accountants
    • Home Cleaning Companies
    • Residential Landscaping
  • There are financing options created to meet the specific needs of particular industries.
  • Find your financing match

  • Thank you for reaching out to Kapitus. Unfortunately, our financing products are only available for existing businesses and we will not be able to help you at this time.


  • The amount of time your business has been in operation is a deciding factor in the type of financing options available to you.
  • Find your financing match


  • Each financing product has its own minimum requirement for the amount of revenue being brought into a business on either a monthly or an annual basis. In addition, your monthly and/or annual revenue can dictate the length and term on your financing option.
  • Find your financing match


  • Each financing product offers different payback lengths and terms.
  • Find your financing match


  • Each financing product has different paperwork and underwriting processes. As a result, the amount of time it takes to get approved for one type of financing over another can vary significantly.
  • Find your financing match

  • Find your financing match


  • There are financing options for every credit type, however your personal credit score will determine your eligibility for each financing type.
  • We’re finding your match