On March 30, 2021 President Biden extended the PPP loan application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program. The extension pushes the deadline from March 31, 2021 to May 31, 2021. It includes PPP loans for nonprofits as well. In addition to the PPP loan extension, this also allows for an extension of the SBA PPP processing time to June 30, 2021.
This is a major win for small businesses, as the program’s PPP loan forgiveness provides businesses a way to keep going despite the ongoing economic fallout from the pandemic.
The PPP Loan Extension is a Major Win For Small Businesses in More Ways than One
This serves two purposes. First, it allows more small businesses time to get their PPP loan application completed and turned in. At the same time, it gives the Small Business Administration more time to deal with any technical issues that may pop up with SBA PPP loans funding and processing.
Why Is a PPP Loan Extension Needed?
An extension is necessary to provide more support for businesses while the U.S. population is getting vaccinated for COVID-19 over the coming months.
It will give businesses more time to apply loans. This includes both first-time loans, and even a second draw PPP loan if applicable. The second draw is a second PPP loan available to some businesses that have already received one Paycheck Protection Program loan. Those who have issues with the application process will also be able to spend more time working through those problems.
Other PPP Loan Changes
Other recent changes will help even more applicants. This includes the smallest of small businesses, as well as minority-owned businesses and those located in rural communities. A two-week period in March was set aside only for businesses with fewer than 20 employees to apply.
That time is over, but still helpful is the fact that the administration is also now calculating the loan formula for sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals differently. Furthermore, gone are the restrictions that prevent business owners with prior felony convictions not related to fraud, or those who have been delinquent on federal student loans, from receiving assistance.
What Can You Do In the Meantime?
There is no question that the PPP loan program is a savior for many small businesses. Still, the money doesn’t come automatically. What if you need money right now? What if you can’t wait for the sometimes long PPP loan application process? Maybe the PPP loan won’t be enough. How can you supplement it?
Here are some ideas to either bridge the gap or take the place of a PPP loan.
Credit Line Hybrid
The credit line hybrid is business financing that does not require security. It is available to pretty much anyone for any type of business expense. You can use it for real estate, equipment, working capital, and even startup expenses. Furthermore, there is no down payment, and you do not have to provide income documentation. It is completely no-doc financing.
You need to have personal credit of 700 or above, but keep reading if you don’t because there are still options. . Also, there cannot be any late payments in the past 12 months, there can be no open collections or bankruptcies, and there should be less than 4 inquiries in the past 6 months on your consumer credit report.
There also have to be at least 2 open credit cards with a $2,000 limit or higher with 2 years of good payment history.
If you do not meet these requirements, including the minimum credit score, you can take on a credit partner who does meet them.
You can get up to $150,000, and often interest rates are as low as 0% for the first 6 to 18 months. 
401(k) Financing
The 401K financing program offered by Credit Suite is a flexible and powerful way for a new or existing business or franchise to leverage assets that are in a 401(k) plan or IRA. These are assets which are tied up in stocks.
It doesn’t take long either. In as little as 3 weeks you can actually invest a portion of these funds into your own business. Then, you not only have more control over the performance of your retirement plan assets, but you also have the working capital you need.
This type of program even has the blessing of the IRS. In fact, they have their own name for it. It’s called a Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS).
Do You Qualify for a ROBS?
Surprisingly, this type of financing is pretty easy to get. You do not have to submit financials or have good credit to get approval. In fact, all the lender will ask for is a copy of your two most recent 401(k) statements.
If the plan has a value of more than $35,000, you can get approval. This is true even if you have really bad personal credit. You can get however much of your 401(k) is “rollable.” Sometimes, you can secure a low-interest credit line or loan for 100% of your current 401(k) value.
The plan you use cannot be from a business where you currently work. It will have to be from previous employment. Also, you can’t still be contributing to it.
Business Revenue Lending
If your business has consistent revenue of $120,000 per year or more, you may qualify for business revenue lending. Lenders verify revenue using bank statements. There can be no recent bankruptcies, but the minimum credit score to qualify is as low as 500.
A business must also be in operation for a year or more, and they must do more than 5 small transactions each month to get business revenue financing.
Merchant Cash Advance
If your business accepts credit card payments and you have at least a 500 FICO, you could get up to $750,000 in a merchant cash advance. Credit rates are usually lower compared to traditional financing as well.
There must be $100,000 or more per year in credit card sales, and typically you can get approval equal to one months credit card financing volume.
Account Receivable Financing
Outstanding account receivables can also be a source of funding for your business. Get as much as 80% of receivables advanced in less than 24 hours. You get the rest of the accounts receivable amount once you collect full payment for the invoice. Closing takes 2 weeks or less.
Receivables should be with the government or another business. Getting financing with receivables from individuals is not as easy. If you also have purchase orders, then you can get financing to have those filled. You won’t need to use your cash flow to do so.
Enterprise SBA Loans
For these loans you have to have collateral worth up to at least 50% of the loan amount, but you only need a FICO of 620. There also can be no bankruptcies in the past 4 years. Only for profit companies qualify, and they must have positive trends in sales growth. Generally amounts are available of up to $12 million with terms up to 25-years.
Credit Suite can help you get funding with these options and show some other possibilities.
Use the Time Allowed By the PPP Loan Extension Wisely
Getting funding for your business is not always easy. There is more to it than just applying for a loan. Business credit can get sticky. Having expert help can save you a lot of time and money. While you are waiting for your Paycheck Protection Program loan, consider working with a business credit expert to help you better position your business to access the funding it needs quicker and easier in the future.
A business credit expert can help make the most of the PPP loan extension time. They can work with you to evaluate the fundability of your business. The stronger your fundability, the more likely you are to get funding with the best rates and terms available. You can get a free consultation to help ensure your business is set up properly to build fundability.
An expert can help you evaluate the many factors that affect fundability. There are over 100. With so many factors, it can be hard to figure out where you stand without an expert. They can work with you to figure out where your business falls short and help you improve.
Fundability is a tangled web affected by many things, and the time and money saved having an expert walk you through it is extremely valuable.
What Else Can a Business Credit Expert Help With?
They can also walk you through the steps to establishing a business credit profile separate from your personal credit profile. Once that is done, they can help you find accounts that will report to that business credit profile.
This is key, because many vendors do not report. Those that do report, do not make it easy to find out that they do. A business credit expert has relationships with a number of vendors. They can help you find the ones that will successfully help you build your business credit score.
PPP Loan Extension: You Still Have Time
Thanks to the PPP Loan extension that President Biden signed, you still have time to get your PPP loan application in. No matter how fast you act however, some things never change. Especially with the PPP extension on the SBA side, you will likely be waiting a bit for your approval and to actually receive PPP funds.
If you need money right now, try one of these funding options. Then, put to good use the time the Paycheck Protection Program extension allows you. Use it to get in touch with a business credit expert. It’s a great time to start the process of building strong business fundability. The stronger your fundability, the easier it is to fund your business whatever the world throws your way, even a global pandemic.
