MSME or SME business loan is designed to support the financial business needs of small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises or businesses. They are significant contributors to the economic development of the nation as they can lead to employment generation, innovation, and the overall growth of the country. The Indian government describes these loans as unsecured as they can be accessed easily.
An Overview of MSME Business Loans
These are the financial tools designed to meet the specific needs of MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. They provide the required capital for inventory, business expansion, technology upgradation, working capital requirements, and other financial needs of an enterprise. These loans work like a lifeline for business owners who want to take their business growth to the next level.
How Could You Benefit from MSME Loans?
Applying for an MSME business loan can benefit you in multiple ways including but not limited to the following –
Lower Interest Rates
Unlike other loans, MSME loans feature competitive interest rates because it is less risky. The interest rate for these loans generally ranges from 10-15%.
Financial Support
This loan can help move businesses to new heights of success by getting access to formal credit. MSME loan allows businesses to perform their regular operations without stressing about funds. The financial inclusion allows businesses to compete on a level playing field by meeting their capital requirements.
Business Expansion
Addressing business financial needs is the major challenge for most business owners. By getting sufficient funds through MSME loans, businesses can expand their reach by investing in advanced technologies and machinery and improving their operations. This can eventually boost their productivity and efficiency.
Need No Collateral
Since MSME is the most unsecured loan, it doesn’t need any collateral to get a loan. Business owners can easily manage their business without worrying about presenting collateral as support to get a loan.
Convenient Application Process
An applicant doesn’t require visiting the lender’s office to start their loan application process as all the associated processes are executed online. You can apply for a loan from anywhere and at any time by providing the essential information.
Tax Benefits
With MSME loans, businesses can benefit from reduced tax liabilities. They can reduce the taxable income by showing the loan status while filing income tax returns.
Reduced Turnaround Time
Turnaround time refers to the duration between the loan application and its approval. Online MSME loans come with reduced turnaround time as all the essential information is made available for applicants online on the official website. Moreover, the applicant can review the details they have provided and automate various internal processes. The reduced time can be used to focus on other important business processes.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for MSME/SME Loan?
A candidate should meet the following MSME eligibility to become applicable for a loan -
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
He or she must be between 24 to 80 (80 years at loan maturity) years old.
Must have at least 3 years in running a business.
An applicant must be a self-employed professional or self-employed non-professional.
Application Process for SME/MSME Loan
➢ Gather essential documents such as financial statements, KYC documents, and business registration certificates to start the loan application process.
➢ Understand all the important aspects of a loan such as additional charges, interest rates, etc. to get a secured loan without any complications.
➢ Submit an online/offline application form (based on whether you are applying online or offline) along with the necessary documents.
➢ Your selected financial institution will evaluate the creditworthiness of your business based on the financial statements, credit score, and proposed use of the loan amount.
Things to Consider When Applying for MSME/SME Loans
➔ Pay attention to the interest rates and related fees to understand the actual cost of a loan.
➔ Understand the repayment terms and flexibility to make sure you don’t have to go through the financial burden on your business to repay the loan.
➔ Check the minimum and maximum SME loan amount along with a repayment tenure to ensure the tenure doesn’t exceed to a large extent. The loan amount generally differs based on the business requirements and documentation.
➔ MSME loans usually don’t need any collateral, however, some financial institutions need collateral. So, pay attention to these requirements and examine your ability to provide the required collateral.
➔ Just like all other loans, credit scores or history play an imperative role in the loan approval procedure. Financial institutions often consider the credit score of an applicant to determine their creditworthiness. A healthy credit score is important to get MSME or SME loans. So, make sure you have a properly maintained credit profile with timely repayment of current debts.
Step-By-Step Guide to Apply for MSME Loan Online
● Click on the ‘Apply Now’ or ‘Apply Online’ button to open the application form.
●Fill out the given online application form by providing all the required information and clicking the Submit button.
●Follow the steps as instructed on the screen and then submit the online application form.
● Once you complete all the steps as required and apply for a loan, an authorized and supportive expert will contact you back with further instructions.
Conclusion
Most small and medium-sized enterprises are leveraging SME or MSME loans to navigate the challenges of expansion and grow successfully while driving innovations. By understanding the benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process of this loan, you can get the right financial support.
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