Compare secured business loans

How does a secured business loan work?

A secured business loan requires that you put up some type of collateral against your loan should you default. This can be a piece of property, equipment for your business or any other expensive asset, either personal or commercial. By providing collateral, means less risk for the lender so you may have access to lower interest rates and higher loan amounts than with an unsecured loan.

However, if you’re unable to make your loan payments on time, the lender has the right to seize your asset to cover your remaining debt and any other expenses that have accumulated since default.

Compare more secured business loans from some Canadian lenders

What can I use a secured business loan for?

You can use a secured loan for any business purpose. This can include buying commercial property, equipment or vehicles. You can use it to grow or expand your business, hire staff and buy inventory. You could also use the funds to buy another business, refinance debt or use the funds as working capital.

What can I use as collateral?

The assets most commonly used to secure a business loan are commercial and residential property. But realistically, anything of value can be put up as collateral. Depending on the lender and the amount you want to borrow, you may be able to use the following assets as security:

• Business inventory
• Business equipment
• Future invoices
• Personal vehicles
• Commercial vehicles
• Fine art and jewelry
• Personal savings

If you don’t have any of these assets and don’t own your property outright, you still could use these as collateral. You don’t necessarily need to own the property to offer it as security. Business equity loans allow you to access the equity you have in your personal or business property to get the funding you need.

What businesses are eligible for secured loans?

Businesses that can provide collateral and have a history of repaying its debts will likely qualify for a secured loan, however you can set yours apart by making sure these points are strong:

• Business history. Most lenders require that your business be operating for at least 6 months, or up to 2 years in some cases.
• Business financial strength. Lenders assess your business’ profit and loss statements, average monthly turnover and income projections to determine if you can make your repayments.
• Appropriate asset. You’ll need a suitable asset to provide security for the amount you wish to borrow.

What are the risks of secured business loans?

The main risk of secured business loans is that if you default, your lender can repossess your asset. This could have serious consequences for the future of your business, especially if you used property as collateral. Even worse, if you listed a personal asset as collateral, you’ll lose more than just an important part of your business.

As with any other type of loan, you should always be wary of borrowing more than you can afford to repay. Be aware of how much regular payments are and the total cost of the loan once it’s fully paid off before you sign on the dotted line.

Pros and cons of secured business loans

How can I compare secured business loans?

When you’re comparing business loans, watch out for:

• Interest, fees and comparison rates.Comparing interest rates is a good way to check if the loan is competitive. But you should also keep an eye on fees and the comparison rate. The latter takes into account interest and the fees you will be charged. It will give you an indication of the true cost of the loan. Some loans may charge low interest and high fees so it’s always a good idea to check the total cost.
• Loan term.Some lenders may offer longer terms than others. Look for a loan that offers the term you want. That said, with a short term, you can expect higher monthly repayments. But with longer terms, you pay more in interest and fees. You can use abusiness loan calculatorto get an idea of what your repayments will be like with different loan terms.
• Asset type.Look into what type of asset the lender requires. Some lenders may be open to using unconventional assets, like art, as security. Others may require some form of property only.
• Loan amount.Loan amounts vary depending on the lender. Make sure the amount you need is on offer from the lender. How much you can borrow will depend on your financial situation and the security offered.
• Loan features.If there are specific loan features you would like to have, make sure to check which loans offer these features. This can include early repayments, early exit without penalty and redraw facilities.
• Repayment flexibility.Look into whether the repayment schedule can be tailored to suit your business cash flow.

Bottom line

A secured loan can be great for a business looking to expand or a new business wanting to buy property or expensive equipment. Although it comes with a certain amount of risk should your business default, the low rates and higher loan amounts make secured business loans a strong option for companies of all sizes. You can compare more business loan options to find a lender that suits your business needs.

Frequently asked questions about secured business loans

• What if I don't have any assets I can offer as security?

  You may need to consider an unsecured business loan. Unsecured loans don’t require collateral but tend have stricter eligibility criteria.

• Where can I find a lender that offers secured business loans?

  Secured business loans are most commonly offered by banks and traditional lenders, but some short-term secured loans are also available from online lenders. If you’re having a difficult time getting a business loan, you may also want to look at the option of getting a personal loan to use for your business instead.

• What if I want to sell the asset that I used to secure my loan during the loan term?

  You’ll need to get your lender’s approval to sell the asset and offer another acceptable form of collateral to take its place.