California is home to millions of small businesses that are key to driving the state’s economy. These businesses are the backbone of the community, helping create jobs, spark innovation, and keep local economies thriving. However, one of the biggest challenges small business owners face is managing their finances, especially when it comes to taking out loans. And right now, with interest rates rising, it’s even harder for businesses to afford those loans.
If you run a small business in California, this guide will help explain why higher interest rates make small business loans in California more expensive, how it impacts your business, and what you can do to get through these tough times.
1. What Are Small Business Loans?
A small business loan is a way for businesses to get money to run their company, expand, buy inventory, or handle day-to-day expenses. Loans for small businesses include:
- Term Loans: A lump sum of money with a set repayment schedule.
- SBA Loans: Loans backed by the government that offer lower interest rates.
- Lines of Credit: You borrow what you need when you need it, and only pay interest on the amount you use.
- Merchant Cash Advances: You get money upfront based on your future sales.
But no matter which type of loan you get, you will have to pay back the loan with interest, and that’s where rising interest rates can cause problems.
2. How Do Interest Rates Affect Loan Costs?
Borrowing money is expensive, so you have to pay interest rates. When you take out a loan, lenders charge you interest as a way to make money while lending to you. The higher the interest rate, the more expensive your loan becomes.
When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, lenders increase the rates on loans they offer. This means that small business lending becomes more costly, as businesses now have to pay back more money over time.
3. How Higher Interest Rates Make Loans More Expensive
Here’s how higher interest rates can make your loan more expensive:
Higher Monthly Payments
If you take out a loan and interest rates go up, your monthly payments will increase too. For example, let’s say you borrow $100,000 for five years at a 6% interest rate. Your monthly payment would be around $1,933. But if the rate increases to 8%, your payment goes up to $2,028. That’s a big jump over the life of the loan.
Total Loan Costs Increase
Not only do your monthly payments rise, but you’ll also pay more overall by the time the loan is fully repaid. Even a small increase in interest rates can mean thousands of dollars more in interest over the loan’s life.
Harder to Qualify for Loans
When interest rates rise, lenders become more careful about who they lend money to. This means it might be harder for small businesses with lower credit scores or less financial history to get a loan in the first place.
4. How High Interest Rates Hurt California’s Small Businesses
High interest rates don’t just impact monthly payments—they affect your business in many ways:
Higher Operating Costs
If you’re using loans to buy supplies or pay employees, those higher interest rates can eat into your profits. You end up spending more on debt, which leaves less money for other important things like growing your business.
Delayed Expansion
Many businesses in California want to grow by opening new locations or hiring more people. But with higher loan costs, it may not be affordable to expand right now. This can delay growth plans, keeping businesses smaller than they’d like to be.
Cash Flow Problems
When you’re paying more on loans, there’s less cash flow available for daily operations. This can lead to serious cash flow problems, especially for businesses that already run on tight margins.
5. Why Access to Credit Is So Important
Even with high interest rates, small businesses still need access to loans and credit. Borrowing money can help you:
- Buy New Equipment: Manufacturing or retail businesses often need new equipment to expand or improve their operations.
- Hire Staff: If your business is growing, loans can help you hire more employees to meet the demand.
- Open New Locations: Opening a second or third location is often impossible without a loan.
Without access to credit, many businesses wouldn’t be able to survive, much less grow. This is why finding the right loan, even in tough times, is crucial.
6. Tips for Dealing with High Interest Rates
While you can’t control interest rates, there are things you can do to handle the situation better:
Explore Alternative Financing
If regular loans are too expensive, you can explore options like:
- Invoice Financing for Small Businesses: This allows you to get paid early on outstanding invoices, which can improve your cash flow without the need for a loan.
- Asset-Based Lending: This type of lending lets you borrow money using your business assets (like inventory or equipment) as collateral, which may come with better rates.
Refinance Your Existing Loans
Refinancing may be the best choice if you’re already paying high interest rates on your loan. Refinancing lets you replace your old loan with a new one, hopefully with better terms.
Build a Better Credit Score
Your credit score affects the interest rates you can get. If your score is high, you can qualify for better rates. Improving your score might mean paying off old debt, paying bills on time, or reducing your credit card usage.
Choose Fixed-Rate Loans
A fixed-rate loan locks in your interest rate for the entire loan term, even if rates go up in the future. This gives you predictable monthly payments and helps you avoid rate increases.
Look for Government Grants and Programs
Programs like SBA loans or state-funded grants can help you get financing with lower interest rates or even free money to grow your business. California also offers support through initiatives like the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.
7. How to Prepare for High Interest Rates
While you can’t stop interest rates from rising, you can take steps to prepare your business:
Build a Cash Reserve
Having savings set aside can help you survive tough financial times. A good rule of thumb is to save three to six months of operating expenses.
Negotiate with Suppliers
Try to negotiate better terms with your suppliers, like paying invoices over 60 or 90 days instead of 30. This helps you keep more cash in your business while managing expenses.
Focus on Efficiency
Now’s the time to cut unnecessary costs and focus on making your business more efficient. Look for ways to reduce waste, streamline operations, or adopt new technology that helps you work smarter, not harder.
8. How State Financial Can Help
At State Financial, we understand the challenges small business owners face with high interest rates. That’s why we’re committed to helping California businesses find affordable financing solutions. Whether you need to refinance, secure a loan, or improve your cash flow, our team is here to help.
We offer:
- Competitive Interest Rates
- Flexible Loan Terms
- Fast Approvals
- Personalized Financial Advice
No matter the economic climate, we’re here to help your business succeed.
9. Final Thoughts: Stay Resilient
Yes, high interest rates make loans more expensive for small businesses, but they don’t have to stop you from succeeding. By exploring invoice financing for small businesses, trying asset-based lending, and improving your credit, you can manage these challenges and continue growing your business.
With the right planning and the right financial support, California small businesses can stay strong, even in difficult economic times. If you’re ready to take the next step, State Financial is here to guide you.