Why Should I Separate My Personal Credit from My Business Credit?

Most people who want to start up their own businesses today usually make use of personal resources to finance their ventures. They either utilize their savings, loan money from significant others or even use up their retirement funds. Due to mixing their personal accounts with that of their business’ transactions, these people often risk utilizing their major assets for collateral, give personally guaranteed business mortgages, and so on. They often end up pushing their personal credits to the limit. And whenever this happens, they are left to compromise their personal financial security. It is sad to say, however, that a significant percentage of small firms operate through personal credit cards. What these people should actually know and should be doing in running their ventures is how to separate their personal credit and their business credit and how life saving this can be, not only for the company, but for their personal assets as well. The use of credit cards in small businesses is currently on the rise. What this does is that it protects both of the entrepreneur’s personal as well as business assets and allows opportunities for better growth and organization to the company. Personal Advantages in Using Business Credit Through separating the personal account with the firm’s business account, one is able to protect private assets in case something goes wrong with the financial status of the company. In that way, one’s personal security (especially for those with families) would not have to be compromised. In instances wherein a firm that goes bankrupt does not have corporate credit, one can be held responsible for any of the company’s expenditures both legally and personally. Separating accounts would entail one to give added protection on savings and properties that one worked hard for in a long time. Corporate Advantages in Using Business Credit Owning a business credit could also improve the financial flow of one’s company as well as help the company grow. One very good advantage is being able to save a lot of money. By having a good credit profile for the company, business owners have the option of lowering interests for leases and loans. It also becomes easier for the company to add more employees, raise inventory and attain discounts for goods. Aside from this, it keeps the company’s financial transactions organized as one can more conveniently keep track of the firm’s expenditures, which also gives an easier means to monitor accounting and tax transactions. Most importantly, a company with a stable and reliable account would be able to attract more investors and would have a more organized cash flow system. For any person who wants to start a business, it is important to be smart and practical in handling finances. By using a separate credit account for that small company, one does not only protect assets, but one also increases the chance of the small business to grow and actually earn more. The use of such credit accounts will help one’s company to improve by saving much time, money and effort. This will even open opportunities for the business to gain the finances that it needs and develop the company’s credibility. In conclusion, any smart entrepreneur wanting to succeed in business ventures at the same time protect private resources will surely learn to separate his personal credit from his business credit.

Unsecured Business Credit and How it can Help Cash Flow Problems

At some point in time, the reality with most businesses is that fluctuation periods would eventually come and such companies will have to face problems regarding their cash flow. A company may experience a financial crisis wherein more cash may be going out than entering as profit. It is very important for any enterprise to never run out of funds, especially if the life of the business is dependent on being able to make large purchases of goods for production. In such dilemmas that many business owners are either facing or are at risk to face in the future, having an unsecured business line of credit could make all the difference. What Is An Unsecured Business Line of Credit and How Does It Help? An unsecured credit line for your business is a type of financing resource that can provide your company with the money that it needs without requiring collateral. Having such a credit line for your company can be of great benefit, especially when faced with problems on cash flow. This can provide you with the temporary funds that your company may need for operations to continue. This is extremely vital especially when funds are simply either lacking or not available but your business is greatly dependent on making purchases for production and profit to come in. Aside from that, this type of credit line can also be beneficial for commercial use in such a way that it involves fewer risks for your part as the business owner as no collateral is involved. This means that you do not necessarily have to gamble your company�s other available resources. Most lenders offering this credit line can also charge less interest and even a bigger credit limit as compared to other sources of finance. Assuring that your company has an unsecured line of credit will be a big step of precautionary on your part to keep your company afloat, even when faced with financial crises. What Should I Consider Before Applying For An Unsecured Credit Line? What you should know about trying to secure such a credit line is that it may not be as easy as you want it to be or that it may not come right at an instant. In applying for unsecured credit lines, lenders would usually take the extra step of checking on your company�s credit history. This is necessary for them to do, as they are risking more by providing you with finances without the collateral. And, thus, before you can be approved for an unsecured line, make sure that your company has maintained a favorable credit score. These lenders are interested to find out if whether your company is capable of making the right payments and purchases for both your parties to gain good income. In running your own company, sometimes being prepared for possible problems can surely play a big role in helping you ride the tides of business. For sharp entrepreneurs, even when there is no immediate need for the extra funds, having an unsecured credit account at hand will be a good cautionary tool for anything that could possibly go wrong with the business. After all, you can never know exactly when your company might experience cash flow problems. But knowing that you have back up when funds become unexpectedly tight through unsecured business lines of credit, will surely set a whole lot of difference for your business to step up the ladder.

Using Cash Back Credit Cards For Your Business

There are many different types of credit cards available out there and choosing which can benefit you and your business the most may be quite confusing. 

However, if you are one of those people who do not have problems in paying monthly credit dues and want to save your company a lot of money, then a cash back credit card just might be perfect for you. Through cash back cards, you are able to enjoy the usual functions of a regular credit card with an added bonus, and that is of course, by receive cash back rewards on the purchases you have made with your account.

How Do Cash Back Cards Work?

A cash back credit card basically gives you bonus points every time you use it to purchase goods. They would start off by offering you a flat percentage rate refund in the form of statement credits, a check, gift cards or deposits into your bank account on the agreed timely basis of receiving your bonus. Percentage rates may vary with the provisions of your lender.

The methods for how cash is given back to you as reward often differ with your credit card’s terms and conditions, and so it is important to choose which type of rewarding method would more probably be of help to your business. For example, if you want cash to come back sooner, then a statement credit method of rewarding will be best for you as this is done monthly. 

However, statement credits may seem as if they are just a mere reduction of your outstanding balance instead of an actual cash bonus. Checks on the other hand are usually only rewarded per year, but these can mount up as a huge cash incentive for your business. 

Another method of cash back can also be through discount cards that can be of big help if you run a type of company that does a lot of purchasing for your undertakings. No matter what type of cash back method you choose, such a credit card can really help your business a lot. 

How Do Cash Back Rewards Really Help?

But how does a cash back system really help a company by merely giving rewards? Let us analyze how much a company may spend in a year purchasing supplies like printing materials, boxes and even calling cards to boost operations. The company basically purchases all of these things for a whole lot of money during the year. And when you think about it, the rate of buying these supplies won’t stop anytime soon as long as the company stays afloat. 

After all, these are basic goods that a business needs in order to continue production and generate income. So we would see through this scenario then that if a company makes use of a cash back credit card for its purchases and gets rebated for that, it is as if the company is being rewarded for merely going about its normal transactions.

An additional profit is generated to the company for no real cost at all since purchased goods with or without cash back would have been purchased anyway. And obviously, additional amount of money to a company’s account can always be very useful for any type of business. 

The bottom line is, that through the use of cash back credit cards, not only is your business being assisted through the normal functions of a credit account, such as financing, but it is also given an extra incentive of earning more money through its reward process.

If bad debt and making the payment deadlines are no such problems for your company, then you have nothing to lose with this type of credit card and may even have so much more to gain. 

Small Business Loans Despite Bad Credit

It is a common fact that businesses wouldn’t run as smoothly without capital. Even with a fixed investment for your mini-business, there are always unexpected expenses that will crop up from time to time. The only way to solve this problem is through small business loans. But, is it possible for someone who has a bad credit rating to avail such financial help? Yes, they can!

It is true that having a bad credit rating can hinder the possibility of vying for a financial loan to help your small enterprise. Many traditional and conservative financial institutions, like banks, are only accepting individuals with good credit scores, and shunning of the rest. But that is no longer the case today.

Secured and Unsecured loans

Considering the number of financial lenders in the market, many stay on the competitive side by offering small business loans despite bad credit status. These loans come in two basic forms: secured and unsecured.

Secured loans are financial aids with collateral as security, which can either be in residential or business property, or any assets with the same value. Unsecured loans are the opposite; lenders will give you the financial help you ask without any security at all, which can be useful if you don’t have any plans in putting your assets at further risks.

Secured loans, however, allow you to loan larger amounts, unlike its counterpart, at lower interest rates and better payment terms. Unsecured loans are usually attached with a much higher interest rate, and much stricter payment schemes. 

Also, unsecured loans require in-depth credit checks and assurances before you can be accepted for one. Since this type of loan is very risky, especially on the lenders point-of-view, they need to maximize the possibility of getting back what is owed in case things go wrong.

However, this can be easily achieved by approaching SBA or Small Business Administration for help. This organization will act as assurance to the lender regarding the unsecured loan despite your bad credit status.

Even if you have a bad credit status, you can easily get a small business loan by having ready documents that will testify the financial stability of your business. If you’re venture is earning a sizable income, you can provide financial statements like balance sheets and income statements to give evidence to that fact. 

Looking for a lender

When you search for a lender of a bad credit small business loan, you need to take into consideration some areas before you proceed. First, you need to keep in mind on the condition of the loan before you get one. Take into consideration interest rates, and payment terms and conditions if you can cope up with it.

This is usually the case when you go for secured loans, and using your properties as security. You need to keep in mind that failure to pay these loans can cost you your assets, as well as your business venture.

Also, this is a fine opportunity for you to build up your credit score while going for the bad credit loan. Try to look for one with payment schemes that you can readily afford. Prompt payment for these can boost your credit scores up a notch, which will improve of getting much better financial aids in the near future.