Loan Application Checklist

You’re the CEO of your small business – the Chief Everything Officer. You understand that time = money, and being prepared can shorten the time it takes to get a small business loan. Even when you’re on the go, our mobile friendly, easy-to-use digital checklist, also called a loan package, can help you get prepared, and stay organized, during your loan application process.

If you need help creating any of the items in this checklist, visit our Resources page to find a business assistance organization in your area that can help you.

If you are applying for a Small Business Administration loan, you may need to prepare different documentation. Not sure if an SBA loan is right for you? Learn more about them.

WHAT I NEED TO COLLECT

Business Plan

Quick Overview

Most loan programs will require you to submit a sound business plan with your loan application. Your business plan should include a complete set of projected financial statements, including profit and loss (P&L)cash flow and balance sheet. If you need help preparing your business plan, the Small Business Administration provides resources at the links below.

​Community Centro Partners also offers an app to help you create and maintain a business plan using just your phone or tablet

Personal Credit Report

Quick Overview

If you’re already in business, be prepared to submit a business credit report as part of your loan application. As with the personal credit report, it is important to review your business’ credit report before beginning the application process.

  • Our partners at Nav offer free options for monitoring your business and personal credit:
    www.nav.com

Collateral

Quick Overview

Collateral requirements can be different depending on the type of loan you are applying for, and strong business plans and financial statements can help you avoid putting up collateral. It’s a good idea to prepare a collateral document that describes cost/value of personal or business property that will be used to secure a loan.

Financial Statements

Quick Overview

You may also be required to provide projected financial statements, either as part of or separate from your business plan. It’s good to have financial statements prepared and ready to go, in case you need to submit these documents individually. The following forms may be used to prepare your projected financial statements:

Many loan programs require one year of personal and business bank statements to be submitted as part of a loan package. If you have business partners with more than a 20 percent stake in your business, they may be asked to submit signed personal financial statements.

If You are Purchasing an Existing Business

Quick Overview

The following information is needed for purchasing an existing business: current balance sheet and P&L statement of business to be purchased; previous two years federal income tax returns for your business; and proposed bill of sale including terms of sale asking price with schedule of inventory, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures.

Legal Documents

Quick Overview

Your lender may require you to submit one or more legal documents. Make sure you have the following items in order, if applicable:

  • Business certificates and/or licenses and registrations required for you to conduct business (Note: If your business is a corporation, provide your corporate seal along with your application.)
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Copies of contracts you have with any third parties
  • Franchise agreements
  • Commercial leases

Ownership and Affiliations

Quick Overview

Include a list of names and addresses of any subsidiaries and affiliates, including concerns in which you hold a controlling interest and other concerns that may be affiliated by stock ownership, franchise, proposed merger or otherwise with you.