
Compare big banks, community banks, and small business banks to weigh loan options, online and private banking, local credit decisions, and personalized service for your business.
Learn the business loan application process, including required financials: last three years of balance sheets and income statements, interim statements, aging reports, A/R, A/P, tax returns, and personal financial statements.
Compile a printable loan packet with last three years of company financials, interim statements, inventory, debt schedules, 12-month projections, tax returns, and monthly bank statements.
Compile a debt schedule listing each outstanding loan, with lender, original amount, origination date, maturity date, current balance, monthly payment, interest rate, and collateral, and attach loan documents when available.
Complete a personal financial statement for bank applications, attach it to the bank form, and keep a recent copy on file with cash, securities, real estate, and liabilities.
Explore common business loan options, including lines of credit and term loans, with insights on collateral, advance rates, eligibility, real estate and SBA loans, and related fees.
Learn about the SBA loan options sheet from the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the veterans advantage, bank availability, and the need to check the SBA website for updates.
Discover the three c's of credit—character, capacity, and collateral—and how honesty, cash flow, debt levels, and collateral valuation influence a bank's loan decision.
Explore how banks evaluate loans through financial covenants, ratios, and reporting. Review current ratio, debt service coverage, and leverage, plus required financial statements, tax returns, and projections.
Explore a practical ratio calculation spreadsheet to analyze debt service coverage, current ratio, and net tangible net worth using year-end and year-to-date statements, with cash flow and loan considerations.
Download the ratio cheat sheet to understand current ratio, debt service coverage ratio (dsc), and leverage to tangible net worth, with explanations of how these covenants are calculated.
Discover tools for improving your chances of getting a bank loan, and learn to prepare professional, neatly organized financial documents, follow bank directions, and be honest.
Explore how to negotiate rates and terms for a business loan, compare term sheets versus commitment letters, and secure the best rates by building deposits and relationships with multiple banks.
Navigate loan denials by understanding the bank’s approval process, from initial meetings to underwriting, and explore alternatives like asset-based lending or SBA options.
"Business Banking 101, everything you ever wanted to know about betting a bank loan" is designed as a road map for anyone tasked with securing bank financing for a business. Your instructor, Bruce Tretzen, has been in the commercial lending industry since 1999 and currently works as a business banker in Seattle. He has created this course based on real-life experiences working with business clients.
This course gives insight into what banks look for and how to increase your odds of being approved for a bank loan. These tips, tricks, and resources will help a business owner analyze their financial condition prior meeting with a bank. You will even learn how to choose the right bank to fit your business needs.
At the end of this course you will know how to present your loan request to a bank in a clear concise way. You will impress your banker by giving them the financial information they want before even asking for it. In addition, you will know how to negotiate for the best possible rate and terms.
If you are a business owner, accountant, CPA or consultant, this course will expand you business banking knowledge as you learn the secrets of business banking. This course is especially valuable to new business owners who have never applied for a business loan from a bank. Or perhaps you are thinking about starting a business and wonder if you even qualify for a bank loan. You will even learn about options available if your loan request is denied.
I invite you to step inside my classroom and learn how to negotiate like a business banker.