An unsecured loan, sometimes referred to as a signature loan or a merchant loan, is a special type of financing available to business that is different from traditional lending. Instead of requiring collateral to obtain financing, unsecured lending uses several other factors to judge the eligibility of a loan applicant. These could include things such as your credit score and sales records from the business. This type of financing may be advisable for small business owners who do not want to risk their personal collateral in order to obtain the financing they need. Since the loan requirements differ from traditional bank loans, the interest rates and speed of approval can be much different. Oftentimes these merchant loans are reviewed and approved in a very short time frame, making them ideal for anyone who is in need of immediate capital.

The main difference between an unsecured and a secured loan is the collateral required. There are pros and cons to all lending options that business owners should consider in order to come to an informed financial decision for their business.

Secured Loans often come from banks or traditional lending sources. They are the most common type of financial borrowing available. Secured loans, backed by an asset such as a house or piece of property, give the lender the ability to repossess collateral should the borrower default on their loan. The type of collateral required can vary and the lender and borrower must come to agreeable terms in order to move forward with the lending process. Loan processes vary between different secured lending services. The standard procedure usually involves the loan amount, asset negotiation and loan repayment terms. Repayment terms are often much more generous in both time and interest rate because the loan is backed by collateral in the event of default. Secured loans, backed by an asset such as a house or piece of property, give the lender the ability to repossess collateral should the borrower default on their loan.