6 Ways to Maximize Your Chances of Getting a Loan Approved

Acknowledging that rejection is part of life doesn’t make it any easier on you when you discover that your recent application for a refinancing loan has been rejected. The current situation is making it even more difficult for people to set out on their own, start a new business, let alone a family. Not to mention the piling student debt many are facing as soon as they graduate and start looking for work, lowering their chances of getting a loan even more. 

Whether you need to take out a loan to purchase a new car (especially if your job depends on it), or you have an innovative idea for an online company, you should do your best to obtain the right finances. Fortunately, there are ways to increase your chances of getting a loan, even though some might require more time than others. Let’s go over some of the most promising tips to help you approach your loan application and use every opportunity to present yourself as a viable loan candidate the next time you need assistance with financing. 

Present your data-driven projections

The very first thing you need to keep in mind when you’re applying for a loan is to look beyond your current financial state. You also need to get your spending under control and consider your future financial ability to pay off that loan and thus make yourself a more viable candidate. 

This is especially important when you’re starting a business and you need financial help to get you through that initial period. Your current situation is in no way a reflection of what you plan to do in the next several months. That’s why you need a professional, detailed projections plan to showcase your future cash flow projections, expected profits, and other factors that will allow you to be perceived as a reliable, successful entrepreneur.

Check your credit history

Rest assured, the bank will certainly do that for you. The goal here is for you to get a clear overview of the situation. Talk to your financial advisor or your accountant to see what you can do to improve your credit score if that’s necessary before you apply for that loan. Check out Score Master Credit Score Simulator.

In addition to seeing where you stand with the credit score, it’s also up to you to look over it in detail and see if there are any errors in your financial statements. Should you notice anything, you need to react before you apply for the loan and correct any mistakes in time. 

Research your lending options

Although it’s natural to go straight to the bank that you’ve trusted all your finances with for your entire life, keep in mind: you have options. Especially for large-scale loans, such as to purchase a home or to start a company, you should look into all the lending options at your disposal.

There are handy online tools such as a net income calculator that you can use to, among other things,  determine your projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Doing this kind of research will help you make an informed decision and find the most favorable conditions, repayment structures, and interest rates. If you need your own place to start a business and run it from home, or if you wish to start a family, this is one of the most prudent things to do in order to secure your loan. 

Showcase your repayment structure

For small business loans, banks and other lending institutions are especially interested to see how you intend to pay off the loan in question. Why? Because small businesses tend to carry more risk, and the current market isn’t working in your favor due to all the pandemic-induced economic instability. 

When you create a repayment plan that is both detailed and realistic, you allow the person evaluating your case to see that you have carefully thought out the situation. Think about the terms you’d want to get with the loan, the interest rate, repayment period, etc. The more detail you can get into, the better it will be.

Build up your references 

What kind of experience do you have in managing a business? What about as a tenant, have you always paid your rent on time and in full? Have you been able to take care of your car and keep it in mint condition? What kind of collateral can you offer? Are your financial statements going to speak in your favor? All of these questions are bound to come up during your application, all depending on the loan you need, whether it’s for a home, an office space, or capital for your new e-commerce business.

When you’re gathering your paperwork, ask for references from anyone you’ve had transactions with, to show that you are committed to the plan and to present yourself as a reliable person in your community. 

Prepare the documentation in advance

If you have already followed through with the first couple of tips, you have prepared your business forecasts and projections showcasing what kind of profits you’re anticipating in the upcoming period. Additionally, every lending institution has specific requirements when you’re entering the process. They will ask for different kinds of documentation, so it’s up to you to come prepared. 

Find out exactly what paperwork you should fill out and prepare. Go over your business plan a few more times, with a financial expert, to see if there is anything you can do to present an even stronger case. Even calculating your risk can help you understand your chances better and thus do better when you’re granted an interview. 

You may have been with a single bank since you’ve first opened up your account, but that is no guarantee that your application will be approved. The more your bank knows about you, the better, but you should definitely create the right approach to different lending institutions and make sure that you bring them all the information they need to make the right decision, preferably in your favor. These suggestions can help you speed up the process, avoid unnecessary rejections, and hopefully obtain the necessary financing you need to accomplish your goals.