Got Credit? If Not, Lease Your Equipment With a Collateral Based Program

When it comes to companies that specialize in4. Good financials (bank statements AND/OR tax
lending money for equipment or homes or leisurereturns that show a consistent cash flow).
products, it has to somehow make sense for5. An established business (generally 2-3 years in
that entity to give you the money to get whatbusiness).
you want. Think about it logically, if you had aThese are just some basics in terms of what the
limited amount of money and wanted to make amoney dispensing entities look for prior to issuing
business out of lending it to people, wouldn't youtheir money for your business equipment. It
choose the same way? You've got this pool ofcomes down to this-what do they have to hang
money that you're hoping to use (lend to others)their hat on? Do all of these things look good? Do
to make more money. Right, the all mighty dollar.just some of these things look good? Are none
It seems to be a recurring theme. Home loansof these things looking good? If none of them are
are base typically on what's called the three C's.looking good, think about it logically. Think about it
These three C's are credit, capacity to pay, andlike it was your small investment pool of your
collateral. If all three look good, it seems like a lowhard earned money. Would you want to issue it
risk deal. This usually results in a yes and ato someone that didn't have any of these in line?
favorable rate. If two of the three C's look goodIt's doubtful.
and one does not, then it will likely result in a yes,Here's the good news. For those that don't have
but with a less favorable rate. If only one of theany of these ducks in a row, there is still a
C's looks good, the approval becomes more iffyprogram or two available. If you don't "got credit"
and of course the rate becomes less favorable. If(or any of the other things lenders look for), you
none of the three C's look good, then approvalscan still lease your business equipment with a
are slim and if you find one, the rates aren'tcollateral based program. There are a number of
pretty.items that can be pledged as additional collateral.
Equipment leasing and financing are very similar,This includes raw land, real estate, other
but the folks that normally give out the moneyequipment you own outright, stocks, bonds,
look for different things. Here are some of themutual funds, etc. The list goes on.
things they look for:If you find yourself in a position where you can't
1. A Dun & Bradstreet rating (do you haveget funding for the equipment you need to
any credit footprint in the business community?).purchase to get your business off the ground (or
2. The highest possible personal credit rating forback in shape), perhaps a collateral based program
newer businesses that don't have business creditwill work. These programs even work for sub
yet.five hundred credit scores and based on today's
3. Re-marketable collateral in the event youcredit market, that's pretty awesome.
default.