It was truly a good news mixed with bad news situation when reviewing business finance developments that occurred during 2007. Many of the commercial loan trends that emerged last year have significant implications for commercial borrowers seeking either new financing or refinancing in the coming months.
For business cash advance and credit card processing services, the past 12 months have been characterized by significant changes. There were many providers both entering and exiting these business activities. The fact that many poor providers have been forced to stop their role in these complex working capital services is positive news for business owners. But the bad news is that there are still many new and inexperienced companies attempting to operate in this complex field.
A similar trend involving inexperience can be seen in viewing the large number of residential financing brokers now attempting to transition into business financing. Since by some estimates approximately 100,000 residential financing employees lost their jobs during 2007, there is a real possibility that thousands of unqualified brokers will be entering the business finance field during 2008 or have already started the process.
During 2007 there was also noticeable attrition in SBA loan providers. This is primarily a positive development, since the field has long been overpopulated with inadequate business lenders.
During the past 12 months a large number of regional and local banks eliminated or reduced their business financing services. Perhaps the most negative aspect of this development is that most borrowers received very little advance notice from their previous lenders and therefore had to scramble to arrange new financing. If there is a positive aspect to this development it is probably that many borrowers confronted with the need to suddenly find alternative commercial financing sources have often ended up with much better terms by dealing with a new lender that specializes in commercial real estate financing and working capital management.
A general business loan trend impacting refinancing is the reduction in loan-to-value ratios, especially when borrowers are attempting to get some of their equity out of the business in cash. Increased down payments are increasingly necessary to purchase special purpose properties such as churches and funeral homes.
Although the general decrease in interest rates during the past year is a positive development, there will probably be some confusion among commercial borrowers who have adjustable rate terms when they do not see their rates reduced. In all likelihood, this will be due to a common clause applied to most commercial loan contracts that stipulate that the minimum rate for such agreements will never be less than the initial rate. With such a floor rate provision, this means that if a borrower starts with an adjustable rate set at 10% and then rates fall, the effective loan rate will remain at the initial rate.
A major commercial property investment trend has been some increasing activity due to the current decline in viable residential investing options. Due to many investors who would rather avoid property ownership, the lack of real estate in business opportunity investing is an attractive aspect.
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