Repayment & Terms
Understanding loan terms Browse 2 expert articles in this category.
What are the different payment structures for business loans?+
Different products have different payment structures. Understanding them is crucial:
Daily Payments Used by: MCAs, some working capital loans
How it works:
- ●Fixed or percentage of daily sales
- ●Debited via ACH every business day
- ●Higher frequency = tighter cash flow management
Pros:
- ●Payments flex with sales (MCA)
- ●Pay off faster
- ●Less interest overall (for loans)
Cons:
- ●Daily cash flow impact
- ●Must maintain bank balance
- ●Can feel relentless
Weekly Payments Used by: Some term loans, working capital
How it works:
- ●Fixed payment every week
- ●Usually debited Monday or Friday
- ●Common for alternative lenders
Pros:
- ●More manageable than daily
- ●Pays off faster than monthly
- ●Less total interest
Cons:
- ●Still frequent cash management
- ●May not align with revenue timing
Monthly Payments Used by: Bank loans, SBA, some equipment financing
How it works:
- ●Fixed payment once per month
- ●Usually same date each month
- ●Most common for traditional lending
Pros:
- ●Easiest to budget
- ●Aligns with other monthly expenses
- ●Standard business accounting
Cons:
- ●Larger individual payments
- ●May be harder to make big payment
Revenue-Based Payments Used by: Revenue-based financing
How it works:
- ●Percentage of monthly revenue
- ●Automatically adjusts with sales
- ●Usually weekly or monthly debit
Pros:
- ●Built-in flexibility
- ●Lower when sales are down
- ●No fixed payment pressure
Cons:
- ●Unpredictable payoff timeline
- ●Can be expensive over time
What happens if I miss a payment on my business loan?+
Missing payments has consequences. Here's what to expect:
Immediate Consequences:
First Missed Payment:
- ●Late fee (typically 5% or $25-50)
- ●Lender contact (calls, emails)
- ●NSF fee if ACH fails
- ●Payment reattempted
Multiple Missed Payments:
- ●Default interest rate may apply
- ●More aggressive collection
- ●Potential acceleration of loan
- ●Credit reporting (after 30+ days)
By Product Type:
MCA:
- ●Daily ACH continues to attempt
- ●Multiple NSF fees possible
- ●May trigger default clause
- ●UCC lien enforcement possible
- ●Personal guarantee pursued
Term Loan:
- ●Late fees accumulate
- ●Default interest kicks in
- ●Reported to credit bureaus
- ●Loan may be accelerated (full amount due)
- ●Collateral at risk
Line of Credit:
- ●Late fees
- ●Line may be frozen
- ●Interest continues accruing
- ●May become term loan (no more draws)
Legal Consequences:
- ●UCC filing allows asset seizure
- ●Confession of judgment (if in contract)
- ●Personal guarantee enforced
- ●Potential lawsuit
What to Do BEFORE You Miss:
- ●
Communicate Early Contact lender BEFORE you miss. Many will work with you.
- ●
Request Modification Options may include:
- ●Payment deferral
- ●Reduced payment temporarily
- ●Extended term
- ●Interest-only period
- ●Explore Options
- ●Refinance to lower payment
- ●Consolidate multiple debts
- ●Negotiate settlement (last resort)
Protecting Yourself:
- ●Read default clauses before signing
- ●Understand personal guarantee implications
- ●Know what collateral is at risk
- ●Communicate early and often