Karen Benjamin asked:


rking Capital Journal and elsewhere, there have been many reports so far indicating that only a small number of financial companies appear to be acting as if they truly understand that “We`re all in this together”. A special concern by many observers is that the largest banks (essentially those receiving federal funds recently to assist with their troubled financial operations) are not acting in this manner at all. Two major problems are becoming more obvious for business borrowers as a result: (1) Even though the funds have supposedly been provided to do just, banks receiving bailout funds have failed to resume a normal lending pattern for commercial finance funding. These same banks also seem to be unable to report to anyone how they are in fact spending billions of dollars. (2) Many banks are decreasing their commercial loans and commercial real estate loans by recalling outstanding loans or cancelling business lines of credit. There has already been much public backlash in reaction to inappropriate banking bonuses and spending. So far that has primarily taken the form of criticism and questions about how banks are allocating the financial resources largely subsidized by the taxpayers providing bailout funding. As it becomes more obvious that the action of many banks is impeding the recovery from economic chaos, it is likely that most business owners will choose to obtain their business finance funding from a lending source that has helped rather than hindered financial recovery efforts. As always, business owners cannot typically afford to wait for government and external action to resolve problems like those described above. Given the facts that many banks have exited or reduced commercial lending activities, business owners should attempt to find alternative sources for working capital loans and commercial loans. With appropriate help from a commercial financing expert, commercial borrowers will be able to identify which commercial lenders have been acting like responsible corporate citizens and business neighbors. It is unfortunately common to find that most bigger banks have eliminated new working capital financing and commercial mortgage loans. Although they are proving to somewhat difficult to identify and locate, there are commercial lenders actively making new commercial loans. In addition to the larger banks reducing most lending programs, another difficult commercial financing situation is that very few of the smaller local banks have resumed prior business loan activities. A previously familiar and reliable source for working capital loans might not continue to be a viable business funding choice. For the most part, local and regional banks simply do not have sufficient capital for new commercial loans. In addition to business owners seeking alternative commercial funding sources, many commercial borrowers will now discover new financing choices such as business cash advance programs. Under most circumstances, business cash advances are provided by business lenders other than commercial banks. Such a working capital funding source might increasingly prove to be more reliable than traditional banks of any size in providing commercial financing effectively. By looking for lenders displaying an appropriate attitude of “We`re all in this together”, business owners should hopefully find that their business financing circumstances will improve.

Steve Bush asked:


When faced with business finance funding decisions, it is essential for business owners to determine their practical and effective alternatives. In the face of recent volatile conditions impacting financial markets, this will not be an easy task. For example, there has been much misinformation and confusion about the true availability of commercial financing throughout the United States. Getting more accurate information about what is realistically possible can be one of the most difficult challenges for commercial borrowers.

Even for business owners who are satisfied with their current commercial finance funding arrangements, it is advisable to explore business financing options that might be necessary if economic conditions change further. The use of Plan B contingency financing is an important tool to assist commercial borrowers in this process.

There are a number of harsh realities which must be confronted by all commercial borrowers when assessing their realistic options in the current challenging commercial finance funding climate. There are several factors which will have an immediate impact on which financing alternatives can be considered. First, unsecured lines of credit are rapidly disappearing for many businesses because commercial lenders are eliminating or reducing this kind of working capital financing. Second, many regional banks have decided to stop or reduce their lending activities involving commercial mortgages and other commercial loans. Third, commercial construction financing is available on a very limited basis. Fourth, businesses which are not currently profitable or not current in their debt payments will encounter particular difficulties in seeking new funding. Fifth, many lenders are requiring more collateral for any new commercial loans.

The primary message of this article is to emphasize the importance for commercial borrowers of being more realistic when seeking new financing or refinancing. As noted above, there are some stark changes which now impact almost all new commercial loans. Despite these new and difficult challenges, most business owners will still be able to obtain new financing, although it is very likely that either the terms or kind of financing will be different from previous business financing arrangements.

For example, even though working capital loans are not as widely available as they were just a few months ago, this kind of commercial financing is still in fact obtainable. The main change for business borrowers is the likelihood that they will be dealing with a different commercial lender, since some of the largest providers have stopped making these loans. Furthermore, the lenders which are currently most willing to consider working capital funding are not aggressively promoting these particular financing activities.

Business cash advance programs which are based on credit card processing activity are another example of an increasingly practical commercial financing option in the midst of an uncertain economy. Although this business funding option has been available for several years, it has not been utilized by most small business owners. For most businesses which accept credit cards, business cash advances should be evaluated as an important tool for improving business cash flow. Commercial borrowers wanting to consider this financing alternative should consult with a commercial finance funding expert who is knowledgeable about both this specialized kind of working capital financing as well as commercial real estate loans and other commercial loans.