SMEs form an important part of the Australian economy, providing over 40% of all jobs. Their success is integral to the ongoing prosperity of our country, but running a small business does come with its own set of challenges.

Whether it’s seasonal fluctuations, a lack of cash flow, or faulty equipment that needs replacement, small business loans can provide SMEs with the safety net they need to flourish. But what type of small business loan is right for you? And how can you gain quick and easy access to your required funds?

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about loans for your small business.

How Can You Benefit from a Small Business Loan?

There are a number of business-related expenses that a small business loan can be used for, including:

• Purchasing equipment
• Maintaining inventory
• Managing daily expenses
• Paying employee wages
• Hiring additional staff
• Moving to another business location
• Product development
• Marketing and promotions

Often, a small business owner will want to invest in these areas to help their business grow, but find the idea of dipping into their cash flow quite daunting. This is where a business loan comes in handy, as it gives you a quick injection of cash to fund your growth, which you simply pay back in small amounts at regular intervals.

Popular Types of Small Business Loans

While there are plenty of different small business loans on offer, not every type will be suited to your needs. Below, we’ve listed two of the most versatile and popular small business loans to provide some more information.

Unsecured Business Loans: An unsecured business loan is a flexible and convenient way to get the finance you need, as you don’t require collateral to obtain the loan. Collateral is something that you or your business owns that you pledge as security for repayment, i.e. your home, vehicle, inventory, etc. Instead, the loan is issued and supported based on your creditworthiness. Therefore, unlike secured business loans, a lender cannot seek repayment by going after your assets.

Unsecured business loans are also designed to be easy to obtain, plus you can expect a quick application and approval process - usually within just a few hours. (Read more)

Short Term Business Loans: Short term business loans can be secured or unsecured, but their main difference when compared to the other types of loans is their payment terms and borrowing capacity. Payment terms usually range from 3 to 12 months, while loan amounts are often between $5,000 and $100,000.

Due to their shorter payment terms and smaller borrowing capacity, small business owners may find short term loans much easier to apply for and obtain than long term finance. (Read more).

The 5 Components of a Small Business Loan

Small business loans are pretty straightforward, but there are 5 important components that you need to be aware of:

Principle: This refers to the total amount being borrowed

Interest rate: The rate (%) at which you will repay your loan to the lender

Term: The length of your loan

Repayment frequency: How frequently you must make your repayments i.e. daily, weekly, monthly

Fees or Charges: Additional expenses you must pay on your loan. Your lender should always be upfront about these

Why Choose Lumi for Your Small Business Loan?

Here at Lumi, we provide you with the best of both worlds. Not only are our business loans unsecured, but they also take place on a short term basis, with terms of 3 - 18 months. We offer loan amounts of $5,000 to $500,000, giving your small business the quick injection of cash it needs to thrive.

As a small business ourselves, we know just how valuable and limited your time is, which is why we also offer a fast and simple application process that can be completed online within just minutes. Once approved, your funds will be deposited the following business day, helping you put it to good use ASAP.

How to Apply for a Small Business Loan

If you’re an Australian-registered business who has been in operation for at least 6 months producing a gross annual turnover of $50,000 or more, then you’re eligible to apply for a small business loan with Lumi.

To complete your loan application online, click here to get started. You’ll just need the following on-hand to complete your application:

• Your ABN / ACN
• Driver’s License
• Business bank account details (for online banking)

You can also speak to a member of our team by calling 1300 00 LUMI.