Hidden Bank Loan Charges That Would Make a Pick-Pocket Envious
There can be more to a bank business loan than making interest and principal payments. Your firm may get a great rate on its new credit line or term loan but you may cry on the way home when you discover the hidden fees and charges. Even seasoned borrowers can be caught off guard. Borrowing costs can be boosted by thousands of dollars and the effective rate on the loan increased by many basis points as a result of these hidden charges. Here are some of the fees and charges that can increase your firm's costs on bank loans: Commitment fees Many banks charge commitment fees of ½% - 1% or more to issue a commitment to lend money. The fee is calculated on the available credit amount. Commitment fees significantly increase the effective rate on outstanding loans. These fees can be negotiated. If your firm has a strong credit profile or if the competition among banks in your area is fierce, ask for a lower commitment fee or ask to have it waived. Non-use fees These fees may be charged in lieu of or in addition to commitment fees. Non-use fees usually range from ¼% to ½% of the unused credit facility. Although these fees are less onerous than commitment fees, they also increase the effective borrowing rate. As with a commitment fee, you may be able to get the non-use fee reduced or waived if your firm has a strong credit profile or if the banking environment is very competitive. Restructuring fees When your firm has reason to restructure an existing loan, you can expect your bank to charge a restructuring fee for the privilege. For example, if your company has reason to convert a short-term loan into a long-term one, it will probably be charged for this restructure. These fees can range from ½% to 2% or more plus any bank legal fees or out-of-pocket expenses. If your firm has been a long-term bank customer in good standing, you may be able to negotiate or eliminate the fee. But don't expect to eliminate the bank's attorney fees and out-of-pocket expenses. Bank attorney fees Attorney fees usually come into play when the bank uses an outside law firm. Making matters worst, many outside bank attorneys require a borrower to hire an outside attorney to issue an opinion letter covering the transaction. Usually, only the strongest borrowers in very competitive banking situations can totally eliminate paying bank attorney fees. However, if your firm is a valued customer, your bank may be willing to have these fees capped or reduced. Often banks have some leverage with their law firms to get a discount. Appraisal/environmental evaluation fees These fees are charged on many asset-backed loans. They usually involve bringing in an outside expert to evaluate equipment or real estate. These fees can be significant, depending on the type of appraisal or environment issue. Like attorney fees, appraisal or environment evaluation fees are almost always for the account of the borrower. Perhaps the best result one can expect is to have these fees capped or have the lender split the amount in some way. Unanticipated audit expense Many banks reserve the right to audit borrowers or to send bank personnel in for inspections. An audit may be required to review accounting procedures or to monitor collections, inventory or another aspect of your firm's operation. Also, some banks require outside audits by CPA firms in connection with extending credit. Any of these scenarios can create significant expense and involve a substantial time commitment for your firm. Before signing, review your loan agreement carefully to identify any audit or bank inspection requirement. If your bank requires an audit or inspection that you did not anticipate, try to get it eliminated or try to negotiate limits. You may be able to get a less-stringent requirement or to negotiate a less-expensive alternative to the audit or inspection required by your bank. If all else fails, try to get audit or inspection fees capped. Late charges Charges for making late payments to your bank are generally in your control. These charges can be onerous and can add significantly to your firm's borrowing cost. It is not unusual to see banks tack 300 basis points onto a customer's borrowing rate for delinquent payments. While it is worthwhile during the negotiating stage of the loan to ask for a lower late- payment charge, the best solution is to try to avoid these charges. If you can, try to get the late-payment rate knocked down to 75 to 150 basis points above your borrowing rate. Expiry of or Failure to Get a Rate-lock In a stable rate environment, many banks are willing to lock the rate on fixed-rate credit transactions. Rate-locks protect the borrower from adverse rate movements prior to closing. In most cases, rates can be held up to 60 days. Rate-locks are not uncommon in real estate loans and equipment installment loans. If your firm is negotiating a fixed-rate loan, try to negotiate a rate-lock. You may pay loan interest that is a tad higher, but a locked rate can eliminate an unpleasant interest rate swing. Once you have locked the rate, try to stay within the holding period for closing the transaction. Most banks will eagerly and aggressively pass on rate hikes in a rising rate market, if you fail to comply. Many hidden bank fees and charges can be reduced or eliminated if you plan ahead and are prepared to negotiate. You are in your strongest negotiating position before your bank issues a commitment letter and before you sign the credit agreement. Always read commitment letters and loan agreements carefully. Look for hidden fees, hidden charges and unexpected requirements. You can also ask your bank to prepare a separate list highlighting all potential fees and charges. George Parker is a Director and Executive Vice President of Leasing Technologies International, Inc. ("LTI"). He is responsible for overseeing the company's marketing and financing efforts. One of the co-founders of LTI, Mr. Parker has been involved in secured lending and equipment financing for over twenty years. Mr. Parker is an industry leader, frequent panelist and author of several articles pertaining to equipment financing. Headquartered in Wilton, CT, LTI is a leasing firm specializing nationally in direct equipment financing and vendor leasing programs for emerging growth and later-stage, venture capital backed companies. More information about LTI is available at http://www.ltileasing.com.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Brief History of Loans
No one can say for certain where the history of loans began? it's likely that people have been practicing lending and borrowing for as long as there has been a concept of ownership.
Small Business Loans Can Help You Write Your Success Story
Scene one: you are sitting on your office desk surrounded with files and work overload, you are thoroughly frustrated. You work hard and get paid. But somewhere something is lacking.
Simple Tips On Getting Your Loan
So, you want to get a loan?
Business Loans from Family - A Good Idea?
Can I Ask my Family for a Loan to Pay Off my Debts?
Debt has always had a degree of shame attached to it and admitting to having problems with debt is like saying you don't know how to handle your own affairs. Some people may get into a situation where unless they get immediate financial help there is a possibility of losing their family home, or their business.
Lions and Loans: Why Finance Should Always be Personal
Different types of loans are available for almost every aspect of your life: personal loans, car loans, secured and unsecured loans, home loans, homeowner loans, student loans, graduate loans and career development loans (CDL). If you've suffered from credit problems in the past and now hold sub-prime characteristics, then you will be eligible for adverse credit and adverse loans.
Finding the Secured Homeowner Loan for You
If you've been thinking of getting a secured homeowner loan, you'll find it worth your time to do a little research on these loans and to shop around for the best deal.
Instant Cash Advance Loans - Take Advantage of The Convenience of The Payday Loans Available Online
Cash advance loans not only provide you with instant cash, they also allow you to complete the entire process online from the convenience of your home. No driving between offices and banks. No waiting in lines. No curious onlookers. You online cash advance loan is quick and private.
New Car Loans - How You Buy a New or Used Car With Poor Credit
Consumers buy a new or used car with poor credit everyday. By using an outside lender, you can be assured you are getting the lowest rates on your car loan and put yourself in a better position to leverage for rebates and extras.
Should You Get A Pay Day Loan?
Whether you have good credit, bad credit or no credit, you are still eligible for pay day loans. Pay day loans come in all shapes and sizes. The amount you can borrow for your pay day loans really depends on how much you would like or need, anywhere from three hundred dollars to one thousand dollars. You can borrow pay day loans online through literally hundreds of pay day loans companies, or you can visit a physical location.
Secured Car Loan - if Car Signifies a Second Home to You
Cars ? they are your passion, necessity, luxury, earning member. They have speed, they have music, they have curves, they have comfort, they have security, they have safety - they have something for everyone. Secured car loans can realize your car plans especially if your budget is stringent. Secured car loans options are stretched far and wide along the loan market. Buying a used car or a new car can be a pleasant ride with secured car loans.
A Consumers Guide to Getting a Bad Credit Loan
Here is a useful guide to getting a bad credit loan. If you're like countless others, then you may be struggling to get a bad credit loan. You may not know where to turn, or what options are available? or even what "bad credit" actually means or how it's determined. Below are tips on how to deal with bad credit, as well as how to get a bad credit loan.
Instant Payday Loan and Instant Payday Loans
Instant payday loans are financial loans that are available for anyone who is experiencing an unexpected crisis and is in need of additional cash fast. A lending institution will advance an instant payday loan of cash as a cash advance on a payroll check, allowing those in the midst of a short-term financial crisis to take care of their needs without a long-term financial loan. An instant payday loan gets you money instantly, and without interest fees that can compound, bringing even more stress to your situation.
Secured Business Loans ? Equipping Your Business Blueprint With Concrete Groundwork
Somebody once said, 'Business is not financial science; it's about trading, buying and selling. It's about creating a product or service so good that people will pay for it.' So you are full of ideas and ready to take on the world. No matter how striking your business idea is, it still needs a solid foundation to work on. Without a concrete financial plan your business plan might not be as feasible as it might seem on the pages, realistically speaking. Secured business loans give you the opportunity that you need to be financially independent. Being a homeowner will provide you with more to bank upon than you realize. A business loan by keeping your home as a warranty is the just the right way to get started.
It Only Takes a Few Simple Steps To Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt is a problem that affects many former students. It is a long and difficult process to pay off a student loan. Undoubtedly, it is much easier to avoid student loan debt in the first place. There are a few simple steps that can be taken to either escape student loan debt or ensure that the debt won't be too hard to pay off in the future. Consider student loans only after you have researched all the sources of free financial aid.
Benefits of a Bad Credit Personal Loan
Outlined here are some of the many benefits of a Bad Credit Personal Loan. Bad credit personal loans are increasingly popular these days. A poor credit history can happen to anybody at any time. Perhaps you need a bad credit loan because you missed some payments on a previous loan, got into mortgage arrears, had a County Court Judgement against you or problems with your credit cards. Perhaps it was due to circumstances outside your control, because of a divorce or redundancy, for example.
Personal Loan 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know
Daughter's marriage or her studies? Son's Ambition? Want a House makeover?
Stop worrying about 'money' to fulfill your cherished dreams now?
Avail the opportunity of 'Personal Loans'.
So Many Loans, So Little Time
If you find yourself in need of poor credit loans, there are many online companies just dying to help you out. But is it really help they're offering, or just a bigger hole to dig out of?
6 Key Points to Evaluate Online Lenders
The internet is teeming with lenders who are vying for your business. It seems like everyone wants to loan you money. You are truly in the driver's seat by going online for your mortgage, refinance, and consolidation needs. But how do you select a lender? How do you choose the right institution? How do you know who to trust?
Military Loan and Military Loans
Military loans are made available to active servicemen and retirees and are one of the great benefits to those who have served their country. A military loan can be a wonderful way for military personnel to make much-needed home improvements, get the car repaired, pay for higher education or even take a family vacation. Military loans are an exclusive service for active duty and retired personnel of the United States Military, and typically offer a lower interest rate than other loans available to the public at large. They can also offer special treatment and quick approval.
No Money Down Real Estate - Fund All Your Deals With Private Lending!!
If you invest in real estate, you need cash to buy houses. Even if you have a full bank account and great credit, you'll eventually run short on funds - or short on time to obtain a loan - for the next deal. Private lending is the answer. It is a bottomless pool of readily accessible funds: whether you have great credit or poor; whether you have cash reserves or not.
|
