Curious about the financial backbone of small businesses? Wondering whether small business loans are secured or unsecured? Whether you're new to the entrepreneurial scene or a seasoned business pro eyeing expansion, grasping the nuances of secured and unsecured loans is vital for smart financial maneuvering. 

Secured Loans:

What are they? Secured loans are backed by collateral, which is something of value that you pledge to the lender as security against the loan. This collateral could be your business assets, equipment, inventory, or even personal assets like your home or car.

• Pros: Because secured loans are less risky for lenders (they have something to fall back on if you default), they often come with lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits. Plus, they can be easier to qualify for, especially if your credit history isn't squeaky clean.
• Cons: The downside? If you fail to repay the loan, the lender can seize your collateral to recoup their losses. So, there's a lot...

Collateral based lending lends you money based on the strength of your collateral. Since your collateral offsets the lender’s risk, you can be approved with bad credit and still get REALLY good terms. Common BUSINESS collateral might include account receivables, inventory, and equipment. 

With account receivable financing you can secure up to 80% of receivables within 24 hours of approval. You must be in business for at least one year and receivables must be from another business. Rates are commonly 1.25-5%. You can also use your inventory as collateral for financing and secure inventory financing. The minimum inventory loan amount is $150,000 and the general loan to value (cost) is 50%; thus, inventory value would have to be $300,000 to qualify. Rates are normally 2% monthly on the outstanding loan balance. An example is a factory or retail store. With equipment financing lenders will undervalue equipment by possibly up to 50% and work with major equipment only....