These short-term loans are typically used for business needs, such as equipment investment, hiring, and purchasing inventory. Commercial and industrial loans may be either secured or unsecured. C&I loans can be given as a lump sum or a revolving line of credit. Businesses may be required to put down some type of collateral to secure the loan, like equipment or cash receivables. The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program of 2020 is one example of a commercial and industrial (C&I) loan.
How a C&I Loan Works
If you need funding to start a business or a small business expansion, C&I loans can be a good option. C&I loans may be easy to obtain, though you will have to put down collateral. You need to put together a loan proposal based on the bank’s requirements to get a commercial loan. This proposal might include:
A business and management experience profileLoan request Loan repaymentCollateralPersonal and business financial statementsHow much the owner plans to put into the business to secure the loanIncome and cash flow projections
A Small Business Administration loan is a type of commercial loan. This commercial loan conforms to SBA’s requirements and receives an SBA guarantee, which transfers the borrower’s risk from the lender to the SBA.
C&I Loan Types
The type of loan you apply for depends on your business needs and how much you’re looking to borrow. Different lenders may call loans by varying names.
Working Capital and Seasonal Loans
These loans are common in manufacturing, distribution, retailing, and service businesses and may either be short-term loans or a line of credit. The loans provide temporary capital beyond everyday needs, for example, seasonal requirements. Many working capital loans rely on accounts receivable or inventory for collateral. These commercial credit terms may be as short as 12 months.
Term Business Loans
These loans can help acquire capital assets, such as equipment or vehicles, or make improvements. They may also be used for debt consolidation and refinancing. Term loans are typically longer term, secured, require regular payments, and may contain restrictive covenants. They may have a fixed or floating interest rate.
Pros and Cons of a C&I Loan
Pros Explained
Access to funding: C&I loans can give small businesses the funding to maintain working capital and expand business operations.No need for equity investors: A C&I loan can be a faster way to access funding directly without spending money and time on equity investors. Variety of options available: A C&I loan could be a line of credit or a term loan with regular payments.
Cons Explained
Short-term repayment schedule: Some C&I loans must be repaid quickly. Your business at risk: When you put up aspects of business operations as collateral (such as a vehicle), non-repayment of the loan could lead to losing that collateral.High interest rates: C&I loans tend to come with higher interest rates than other loans.
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