Advantages of Online Auto Loan Applications
In the current market, there are several ways for one to get help in paying for a nice, personal vehicle. Banks, dealerships, financing groups, and, nowadays, even the Internet have gotten in on the act. However, there is an emerging increase in online auto loan applications, likely due to the reputed convenience and speed by which these institutions are characterized. These online auto loan applications websites can be very competitive with one another, as well as with their real world counterparts. As such, it is not unusual for them to offer competitive rates and terms that are easier on the pocket that a bank or car dealership would.In previous years, a history of bad credit, declarations of bankruptcy, and default on loans meant that a person was not fit to be given money or be approved for any sort of financing deal. While this still holds true at the core, several online auto loan applications specialists have found ways to work around those limitations. The blatant disregard for past credit history is currently not the standard by which the industry works but it is becoming a trend among the websites that have decided to specialize in the car financing field.Previously, getting a financing deal approved was seen as both an activity which took up too much time and was far too complicated a procedure. However, with online auto loan applications, the process has become faster. Online lenders can easily check into an applicant’s financial history, based on the information provided to them on the applications on the company’s websites. After a few minutes of checking, these online lending organizations can easily determine whether or not one’s credit rating is acceptable enough for them to loan the money needed to get that car the buyer is interested in. The online environment also makes it faster for these online financing groups to actually transfer the money to the buyer, making the time between the application and the buyer receiving the money far shorter.Another bonus is that online auto loan applications tend to have lower interest rates than a bank or a real world equivalent. These rates are results of the drive for competition between these online lending companies, as well as competition with banks, dealerships, and real world lending organizations. While the tendency to vary interest rates has currently been adopted by online lending groups, it is not as widespread as it is in car dealerships. However, the interest rates and the terms of the loan are all determined primarily by two factors. The first factor is the potential buyer’s credit rating. The second factor would be the actual amount that the buyer is actually asking for.While by no means perfect, online auto loan applications are fast becoming the norm for people who are intent on purchasing a car, be it used or new. As with their real world counterparts, knowing one’s credit score is essential in successfully completing one’s online auto loan applications. There are also some risks involved, even though most websites have taken security measures to make sure that no identity theft is made. That does not mean the consumer can be lax in preventing such theft on their end, however. Regardless of the risks, the benefits of convenience, speed, and flexibility offered by the online lending companies is far more tempting than the prospect of having to drive over to an office and discuss things, only to end up feeling as if one’s time was wasted.
No Credit Auto Loans – Tips to Help You Close the Deal
It’s the perfect case scenario: you have cleared your driving test and you have been saving to buy your dream car for a long time. However, before signing that dotted line on your auto loan agreement, there is an element of hesitation in the air; stemming from the fact that you don’t have any credit history. Your credit history can be a deciding factor in knowing whether your loan is approved or rejected. Many a times, however, there just isn’t enough credit history to get started with.There might be many reasons why a person has a no credit history. Usually, college graduates and teenagers have no credit history because until now, there wasn’t any chance for them to establish a credit record.Another instance of people with no credit history is recent immigrants who moved to a new country and haven’t applied for an auto loan, as they mostly prefer to make cash transactions. But applying for a loan can be a good thing, especially when you borrow wisely and sincerely pay off the debt in the given term period. Also, an auto loan means that you can save the amount equivalent to a car and invest it elsewhere. If you have newly graduated from college or moved to a different country, the amount you save can be of incredible help to you.So, how can you qualify for An Auto Loan with No Credit History?· Find a co-signer A co-signer is typically someone who adds his or her name to your loan, thereby agreeing to repay the loan on your behalf, if you default on the loan. Being a first time car buyer, a co-signer with a good credit rating can be a huge factor in getting approval for your loan.The only measure of checking if you can repay your auto loan is to maintain a good credit history. However, in the absence of a credit history, a co-singer with a good track record can act as a back-up if you cannot repay your loan. Therefore, having a co-signer instills a sense of security in your auto lender and he will be more willing to give you an approval for the loan.· Increase the down payment amountAn auto lender is more likely to approve your auto loan if you are willing to pay a hefty down payment prior to availing the auto loan. Usually, a twenty percent of the car price is considered to be a good amount for making down payment. However, if you can pay an amount greater than the customary amount on the down payment, you are more probable to drive off with your auto loan. The reason behind it is that a hefty down payment reduces the overall loan amount and the auto lender is assured of your payments.· Spot a suitable loan Different auto lenders may propose varied auto loan programs depending on your situation. There might be some loan programs tailor-made to your specifications, say; some may be designed for students out of college while others may be drafted for residents new to the country. Keep an open eye for such accommodations that may fit into your loan program.Being a first time car buyer without any credit history is not all that difficult. There are many auto lenders who provide auto loans to people with no credit history. Keep those above points in mind and, soon, you will be closing your first auto loan deal for your new car.
Alternative Financing Vs. Venture Capital: Which Option Is Best for Boosting Working Capital?
There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped businesses that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option that owners think of – and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult – especially for start-up companies and those that have experienced any type of financial difficulty. Sometimes, owners of businesses that don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing on equity investors are other viable options.But are they really? While there are some potential benefits to bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, owners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a contract with a venture capitalist or angel investor – and it’s too late to back out of the deal.Different Types of FinancingOne problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.Working capital – or the money that is used to pay business expenses incurred during the time lag until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected – is short-term in nature, so it should be financed via a short-term financing tool. Equity, however, should generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that are repaid over more than one 12-month business cycle.But the biggest drawback to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you are giving up a percentage of ownership in your business, and you may be doing so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership most often comes a loss of control over some or all of the most important business decisions that must be made.Sometimes, owners are enticed to sell equity by the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you don’t usually pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor gains its return via the ownership stake gained in your business. But the long-term “cost” of selling equity is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, in terms of both actual cash cost as well as soft costs like the loss of control and stewardship of your company and the potential future value of the ownership shares that are sold.Alternative Financing SolutionsBut what if your business needs working capital and you don’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are often appropriate for injecting working capital into businesses in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by such businesses are:1. Full-Service Factoring – Businesses sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative finance that is especially well-suited for rapidly growing companies and those with customer concentrations.2. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Financing – A/R financing is an ideal solution for companies that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the business provides details on all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. The proceeds of those receivables are sent to a lockbox while the finance company calculates a borrowing base to determine the amount the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, it makes an advance request and the finance company advances money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.3. Asset-Based Lending (ABL) – This is a credit facility secured by all of a company’s assets, which may include A/R, equipment and inventory. Unlike with factoring, the business continues to manage and collect its own receivables and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will review and periodically audit the reports.In addition to providing working capital and enabling owners to maintain business control, alternative financing may provide other benefits as well: It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and obtain an increase.
Professional collateral management can be included depending on the facility type and the lender.
Real-time, online interactive reporting is often available.
It may provide the business with access to more capital.
It’s flexible – financing ebbs and flows with the business’ needs.It’s important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches – these are capital needs that are not generally well suited to debt financing. However, equity is not usually the appropriate financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help plug a cash-flow gap.A Precious CommodityRemember that business equity is a precious commodity that should only be considered under the right circumstances and at the right time. When equity financing is sought, ideally this should be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and thus, absolute control) should remain with the company founder(s).Alternative financing solutions like factoring, A/R financing and ABL can provide the working capital boost many cash-strapped businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing need – without diluting ownership and possibly giving up business control at an inopportune time for the owner. If and when these companies become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker may be able to refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer the right type of alternative financing solution for your particular situation.Taking the time to understand all the different financing options available to your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to make sure you choose the best option for your business. The use of alternative financing can help your company grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business – shouldn’t you keep as much of it as possible?