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It starts with considering the purpose of your financing.

Maybe you need additional working capital to support your operations during your slow season or want to be ready for surprise expenses. If you need an easy way to access cash over time, this calls for a line of credit.

If you’re planning a one-time investment, such as buying new equipment or vehicles, upgrading your company website, or purchasing or renovating your business property, a single-purpose installment loan usually makes the most sense.

You’ll also need to consider your financial needs (such as monthly cash flow) and qualifications
as a borrower. Here are some other questions to consider:

• How much do you need to borrow?
• What’s an affordable monthly loan payment?
• How much time do you need to pay off the loan?
• Can you provide collateral?
• What borrowing costs (interest and fees) are you comfortable paying?

Your creditworthiness (individually or as a business) will also determine which financing option will work for you.

Because of the many factors involved in choosing a small-business loan – from your finances to your industry – talking it over with your local small-business lender is a great first step.

If you’re a sole proprietor, you may enjoy the simplicity of working independently and without a formal business structure. However, sole proprietors, as well as those who are launching a new business, often encounter obstacles when they need financing.

Fortunately, there are options that may work for you. Factors that will affect your eligibility for certain types of financing include your desired loan amount, assets you can use as collateral, and your personal qualifications as a borrower, such as your income, debts, and the strength of your credit.

Some eligible professionals may qualify for a business loan or line of credit, while others may choose a consumer loan or home equity financing to fund their business needs.

Your ENB lender can help you weigh the pros and cons of different loan options, so you can choose an option that fits your goals, finances, and comfort level.

It depends. The information your lender requires will vary based on factors like the loan type, the amount of your loan request, your business structure, and whether you have co-borrowers/guarantors (such as business partners).

With that said, business lenders often require paperwork such as:

• General business/personal information (including your Social Security number)
• Recent tax returns
• Recent bank statements
• Business financial statements (such as your balance sheet, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statement)
• Your up-to-date business plan
• Personal financial information
• Collateral-related documents (if a secured loan)

Other financing options (such as consumer and home equity financing) will have different requirements. Submitting a complete application packet will help your lender to process your application promptly. At ENB, our team will help you make sure you’ve gathered all the necessary information.

We get it. Many small-business owners have encountered a slow, complicated, or impersonal experience when dealing with other business lenders.

It’s different at Ephrata National Bank. Every day, our local lenders work one-on-one with business owners, answering their questions and helping with each step of the loan process. We’ll do the same for you.

After learning about you and your business, your small-business lender will help you find a financing solution that’s well-suited to your goals, financial needs (both personal and business), and your qualifications as a borrower. If one loan product isn’t a good fit, we explore options that may work better. Our team wants to see you succeed!

There are quite a few reasons. As a community bank, we know that each local business is unique, so we treat their financing needs accordingly. Our lenders aren’t constrained by a narrow range of financing products or one-size-fits-all loan structures.

Just as important, we get to know you and your business, so we can offer informed recommendations and tailored solutions based on your specific needs. It’s a level of insight and customization that you won’t find at a big bank or online lender.

Finally, community banks are deeply invested in their local economies. For example, according to the Independent Community Bankers of America, community banks made 60% of all the Paycheck Protection Program loans that local businesses depended on during the pandemic, including the majority of PPP loans to minority-owned businesses.

Just like you, ENB has a stake in our community, so we’re focused on helping local businesses to thrive. Connect with your local Small Business Relationship Manager to discuss ways we can help you. We can’t wait to get started.