Citigroup offers a wide range of Small business loans and is one of the most well-recognized lenders in the market. Most top-notch banks require credibility from the borrower, and Citigroup is no different, as they demand a good credit history and a near-perfect business record.
Unfortunately, not all small businesses are eligible for a loan from Citigroup; However, the qualification process is not complex, and the most eligible businesses are those that have been active for years. One of the key indicators that every small business should meet are:
- Strong credit score
- Good credit history with banks
- Significant annual revenue (for some banks like Bank of America, the minimum is $ 250,000)
Other than meeting the qualifying criteria, small business owners will also need to study and analyze Citigroup's range of products. Like most large banks, Citigroup also lacks transparency regarding loans and rates; that is unfortunately just the way banks operate.
Types of Loans offered by Citigroup Loans
1.Business Installment Loans
Purpose
- Buying business equipment and inventory.
- Long-term initiatives.
- Business Expansion
Details
- Amount: 5000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: seven years
- Interest rates: Competitive
Qualification
- Businesses should be operating in the US.
- Businesses must maintain a checking account with Citi.
- Personal guarantees from owners of 51 % of their business.
2.Businesses Line of Credit
Purpose
- Gives the business the freedom to adapt.
- Finance needs and requirements of the business.
- Buy inventory and pay off total expenditure.
- Increase the working capital.
Details
Business Credit Account (Ideal for short-term cash needs)
- Amount: 10,000 to 5000,000 Dollars
- Term: Revolving
- Interest rates: Variable
Relationship Ready Credit (Ideal for businesses that have a large working capital)
- Amount: 250,000 to 500,000 Dollars
- Term: Revolving
- Interest rates: Variable
Qualification
- Businesses should be operating in the US.
- Businesses must maintain a checking account with Citi.
- Personal guarantees from owners of 51 % of their business
3.Healthcare Acquisition Financing
Purpose
- To acquire the practice of healthcare.
- Refinancing of practice debt.
- Buy practice equipment.
- Finance for buy-in and buyouts.
- Finance for buying commercial real estate
Details
- Amount: 250,000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: Ten years
- Interest rates: Competitive and Fixed
Qualification
- Businesses should be operating in the US.
- Businesses must maintain a checking account with Citi.
- Personal guarantees from owners of 51 % of their business.
4.Commercial Mortgages
Purpose
- Buy or refinance a facility that your business is looking to buy.
- Restructuring of existing mortgages with better interest rates and terms.
Details
- Amount: 250,000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: Five to Twenty years (Amortization of 25 years)
- Interest rates: Competitive and Fixed
Qualification
- Businesses should be operating in the US.
- Businesses must maintain a checking account with Citi.
- Personal guarantees from owners of 51 % of their business.
Lending Criteria for Citigroup
There is a qualifying criteria that small businesses need to make if they want to be eligible for a loan from Citigroup.
1. Time
The first question that lenders will usually ask is: How long have you been doing business? The response they expect is that your business has been active for several years. The longer time you've been in the business, the more likely you will be suitable for borrowing a loan from big banks like Citigroup.
2. Impressive Personal Credit Score
Maintaining a good credit score is crucial when it comes to borrowing a loan from a bank. Banks will always ask for your credit score and all documents related to your credit history. In addition, the credit score will determine the interest rate of the loan as well.
3. Impressive Business Credit Score
Apart from having an impeccable personal credit history and score, the bank also wants your business credit score and history to be nearly perfect. The business credit score has some important components such as your history of payments, how quickly you have paid your dues, the size and revenue of your business.
4. Annual Revenue
This is an important requirement and one that the bank will closely observe. High annual revenue is a requirement that most banks ask for and they study the profit and loss statement. The statement should be updated within the past two months, and two-year-old statements are also analyzed.
5. Statements
Citigroup will study your bank statements to determine whether you are capable of paying the loan or not. The bank statements will also give the bank information regarding your cash flow. On most occasions, lenders will ask for bank statements of the past four months.
6. Business and Personal Tax Returns
Just like the credit scores, banks are interested in analyzing your personal and business tax returns before they determine whether you are eligible for a loan or not. Usually, the potential borrower is expected to submit personal and businesses tax returns for the past two years.
7. Purpose of the Loan
Bank will inquire about the purpose of the loan, as it is a crucial requirement. Therefore, a small business is expected to provide to the bank a statement that contains details regarding the need for the loan. However, the amount that is written in the statement should match the purpose of the loan.
8. Amount of the Loan
The borrower will need to specify the amount of loan it needs. Since banks have access to large sums of capital, they can issue loans of various sums. So if a small business needs a small loan, usually below 250,000, then banks are not the right lenders, and they will need to find other lenders.
9. Plan of the Business
A business plan or a proposal for a loan is not mandatory, but some small businesses might still submit it to the bank. However, for SBA loans, it is mandatory to provide a proposal or a business plan. Therefore, your business plan should compromise of the following:
- Goals
- Profit
- Income
- Future sales
- Cash flow
The business proposal should be good because the document will prove that your business has the potential for growth to the lender.
10.Collateral
Some banks do not require any form of collateral; however, you may still be required to submit a fixed asset. A fixed asset can be anything like equipment or properties. If you cannot pay the loan on time, the bank will seize control of the asset and sell it.
Citigroup Interests, Fees, and Loan Options
Citigroup charges different fees and interest rates for their loans, and while on most occasions the specific amount is unknown, other important details are usually discussed.
1. Business Line of Credit
- Amount: 250,000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: Five to Twenty years (Amortization of 25 years)
- Interest rates: Competitive and Fixed
2. Business Installment Loans
- Amount: 5000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: seven years
- Interest rates: Competitive
3. Healthcare Acquisition Financing
- Amount: 250,000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: Ten years
- Interest rates: Competitive and Fixed
4. Commercial Mortgages
- Amount: 250,000 to 5000,000 dollars
- Term: Five to Twenty years (Amortization of 25 years)
- Interest rates: Competitive and Fixed
Citigroup Application
Documents and Information that Citigroup requires
First, the customer will need to visit the bank and open a Small business banking account with Citigroup. Once all that is done, the borrower will need to provide some essential documents to the bank
1.Required Documents
The applicants should come with an identification that has been provided by the government (Driving license, Passport). Another very important document that applicants must carry is the business formation document.
2.Necessary Information
All applicants should prepare the necessary information regarding their business, name, transaction activity, taxpayer identification number, number of employees, and other essential information.
Individuals associated with the business
- Name
- Residence
- Place of Birth
- Status of Citizenship
- Correct Address
- Individual taxpayer identification
- Social security number
- ID issued by the government
- Ownership percentage
Other individuals
- Signers
- Accountants
- Business owners
Before applying for the loan, ensure that all the information is valid and up to date because banks will usually ask for recent updates. Also, prepare and organize all the necessary information and, if possible, save them on a hard drive or a computer. For more information, please visit the official website of Citigroup.
Summary of Citigroup Loan Options
This document contains all the necessary information that you will need to be eligible for a loan from Citigroup. Most small businesses and startups struggle a lot initially. This is because they are highly dependent on loans, but banks have certain criteria that businesses need to meet before they offer them credit or loans.
Businesses should always study all the bank's requirements, and if they need to make some adjustments, they should not hesitate. As far as Citigroup is concerned, they offer four types of business loans:
- Business Line of Credit
- Commercial Mortgage
- Business Installment Loans
- Healthcare Acquisitions
There is a lot of variation in all of these loans; they come with flexible terms; however, the exact interest rates are not given. Interest rates are often shown as 'Fixed' or 'Variable.' Citigroup will also charge the amount of interest rate depending on your eligibility to pay the loan.
While everything is not perfect with Citigroup, it is a well-recognized lender in the market. Learn more about business loans by pressing this link.